[List-Cumbria] Carlisle Journal, 20 Jul 1811 - Gallant Action

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 20 Jul 1811   (p. 3, col. 4)

 

GALLANT ACTION. 

 

QUEBEC, May 2d [or 20?], 1811.-The following are the particulars of the action between the brig Fortune of Workington, and a French
privateer brig of 16 guns, and about 120 men, which, from we can collect [sic], exceeds in brilliancy the action of the Cumberland. 

 

The Fortune was attacked on the 13th April, in about 53 deg. N. lat. and 2* deg. W. long. The action lasted about 50 minutes. On
coming in sight of the Fortune she hoisted English colours, and approaching, hailed, and desired Captain HODGSON to send his boat on
board; which he refused, saying, that if they had any business with him they might send their boat to him. Whereupon the stranger
immediately hoisted French colours, and fired a shot between the Fortune's masts, and then gave them a broadside, which was
immediately returned by two broadsides. The enemy made three attempts to board. In the first attempt, they poured in men in all
directions, eight of whom got into the Fortune's jolly boat at her stern, when one of the crew, with great presence of mind, drew
his knife and cut the fastenings of the boat, which precipitated them into the sea. 

 

Numbers having gained the forecastle, captain HODGSON ordered a discharge of musketry, and then charged them with the bayonet. Those
of the boarders who were not killed on the deck were thrust from the shrouds and chains into the sea. During the engagement the
Fortune's colours were twice shot away, and were at last nailed to the gaff, by a young boy, who, while in the act of so doing,
became a mark for the enemy; but he, far from being intimidated, called out to them, "fire away you b         rs." The enemy had a
four-pound swivel and ten men on each top, who kept up an incessant fire on the crew of the Fortune. Her colours and sails are
perfect riddles, so numerous are the perforations. Her rigging and spars were also considerably damaged, and as her crew were
decreasing fast, she would probably have been captured, had she not fortunately shot away the enemy's fore-topmast, at which time
the Fortune's crew gave three cheers, and the privateer sheered off. 

 

Captain H. gave her a parting broadside, which was not returned, and then lay by to repair the damage, and to clear the ship for a
renewal of the action, in case the enemy should think proper to renew it. But in two hours after the privateer disappeared to
leeward, and Capt. H. proceeded on his voyage. Capt. H. speaks in the highest terms of the bravery of his crew, and the great
assistance received from his passengers during the action. The loss unfortunately sustained by the Fortune in this action is as
follows: John WILSON, John DICKSON, English seamen, killed; and Anthony OLIVER, a foreigner, also killed; Mr. A. GREIG, of this
city, a passenger, wounded in the knee; Mr. Hugh SANDERSON, of London, passenger, wounded in the arm, and 3 seamen slightly wounded.
The third passenger was Mr. LAHEE [?]. 

 

The Fortune mounted 8 guns and 2 swivels, and the number of persons on board, including her officers, 3 passengers and 3 boys,
amounted to 19. The privateer lost, in killed and drowned, between twenty and thirty, in boarding, but the number killed on board of
her by shot from the Fortune, could not be ascertained. 

 

The Commanders of ships in the harbour propose giving Captain H. a dinner, at the Union Hotel, on the 28th inst. 

 

 

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