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FLAMBOROUGH
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(22) |
6th rate
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Built in 1756, Limehouse.
Sold in 1772. |
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- 1760 Capt. Archibald KENNEDY, Lisbon.
- Flamborough, the Lisbon River, April 14th. 1760
- SIR, I sailed from hence the 18th. ult. in company with the Biddeford, captain Skinner, upon a cruise. Nothing material happened until the 4th. instant, on which day I discovered four sail of ships in the N. E. quarter steering S. by W. right before the wind; the Rock of Lisbon at that time bore S. S.E. one quarter E. distant thirty-six leagues. I stood for them, being to leeward, and they not making any alteration in their course, soon came near within gunshot of the headmost, she brought to at five in the afternoon; I fired several shot to invite her to action, showing my colours at the same time. About half an hour afterwards, the sternmost brought to, I perceived them to be plainly speaking to each other, and to be large frigates of the enemy, one of them making signals which I judge was was for the government of the other two ships as they immediately made the best of their way. Soon after the frigates hoisted French colours and bore down upon me; but the Biddeford then being about three miles to leeward (to whom I had before made the signal of the discovering the enemy) I edged away and at six joined her, when the enemy instantly hauled their wind and stood to the eastward; we pursued them, I soon came up with the sternmost ship, who poured a broadside into me, which I returned, and, leaving her to the Biddeford, kept after the headmost, with whom I came up about half past six, and engaged as near as it was possible, without being on board each other, until nine at night, when we discovered our masts, rigging and sails to be much shattered, and most of the running rigging cut to pieces, not having a brace or bowling left to govern the sails; the hull did not escape receiving several shot, some betwixt wind and water, which were timely secured. Both parties ceased firing near half an hour, in which time we reeved new braces and repaired all the damage we had received in the best manner it was possible, we then renewed the engagement until eleven at night, when the enemy made all the sail they possibly could, and used every effort to escape; I pursued her till noon the next day, but, to my great concern, she had the advantage of sailing much better than the Flamborough that she had run us out of sight, otherwise I flatter myself I should have been able to have given their lordships a more distinct account of her. The Flamborough being much disabled, and every course and topsail rendered useless, it was in vain to pursue the enemy any longer, and I therefore made the best of my way for Lisbon, where I arrived on the 6th. inst. I am confident by the later behaviour of the ship which engaged me, that she must have received great damage, the fury of their fire being much abated.
- I had only five men killed and ten wounded, among the former is Mr Thomas Price, lieutenant of marines, and the latter Mr Edwards, the boatswain; they behaved extremely well; and I should do great injustice to all my officers and men was I to omit acquainting their lordships that they behaved with conduct and courage.
- The Biddeford behaved gloriously keeping a brisk and constant fire against her antagonist, until some time before ten at night when I lost sight of her.
- I am & c.
- ARCHIBALD KENNEDY
- Since I wrote the above, I have heard that the ships we engaged are king's frigates, and come lately from Brest, one of 36, and the other of 32 guns, 250 men each. The largest is called La Malicieuse, commanded by Monsieur de Goimpy, the other l'Opale, commanded by Monsieur le Marquis d'Ars. On the 7th. I had the great satisfaction to see the Biddeford safely arrived here, but it is with the utmost regret I acquaint their lordships that Capt. Skynner was slain at the beginning of the action; soon after Mr Knollis, the lieutenant, was dangerously wounded, and died on the 10th. instant. I refer their lordships to the enclosed account sent me by the master of the Biddeford, of the action between her and the frigate he was engaged with.
- 1763 Capt. James REYNOLDS
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