"...the very spirited and brilliant action..."
212 years ago today, on the 6th June 1801, Captain Sir Thomas Cochrane took on the Spanish xebec frigate El Gamo in his 14 gun sloop Speedy and made his way into the history books.
The Action and Capture of the Spanish Xebeque Frigate El Gamo
by Clarkson Frederick Stanfield
The following account of the action was published in The Naval Chronicle, Vol. 6, Jul-Dec, 1801.
Copy of a letter from Captain Manley Dixon, of his Majest's ship Genereux,
to Evan Nepean, Esq. Secretary of the Admiralty, dated Port Mabon, June.
SIR,
I have the pleasure to transmit a copy of Lord Cochrane's letter relative to the very spirited and brilliant action with a Spanish xebeck frigate.
I have the honour to be, &c.
MANLEY DIXON.
His Majesty's sloop Speedy, off Barcelona, 6th May, Castello fern, N^four miles.
SIR,
I have the pleasure to inform you, that the sloop I have the honour to command, after a mutual chase and warm action, has captured a Spanish xebeck frigate, of 32 guns, twenty two long twelve pounders, eight nines, and two heavy carronades, named the Gamo, commanded by Don Francisco de Torris, manned by 319 naval Officers, -seamen, supernumeraries, and marines. The great disparity of force rendering it necessary to adopt some measure that might prove decisive, I resolved to board, and, with Lieutenant Parker, the Honourable Mr. Cochrane, the boatswain, and crew, boarded, when, by the impetuosity of the attack, we forced them instantly to strike their colours. I have to lament in boarding the loss of one man only; the severel wounds received by Lieutenant Parker, both from musketry and the sword, one wound received by the boatswain, and one seaman. I must be permitted to say there could not be greater regularity nor more cool determined conduct shown by men, than by the crew of the Speedy. Lieutenant Parker, whom I beg leave to recommend to their Lordships' notice, as well as the Honourable Mr. Cochrane, deserve all the approbation that can be bestowed. The exertions and good conduct of the boatswain, carpenter, and petty officers, I acknowledge with pleasure, as well as the skill and attention of Mr. Guthrie the surgeon. I have the honour to be, &c.
M. Dixon, Esq. (Signed) COCHRANE.
List of killed, wounded.
Speedy's force at the commencement of the action.
Fifty-four Officers, men, and boys. Three killed, and eight Wounded.
Fourteen four-pounders (guns).
Gamo's force at the commencement of the action.
274 Officers, seamen, boys, and supernumeraries; forty-fiire marines. Total 319.
Don Francisco de Torris, the boatswain, and thirteen men, killed ?, forty-one wounded.
Thirty-two guns
The Action and Capture of the Spanish Xebeque Frigate El Gamo
by Clarkson Frederick Stanfield
The following account of the action was published in The Naval Chronicle, Vol. 6, Jul-Dec, 1801.
Copy of a letter from Captain Manley Dixon, of his Majest's ship Genereux,
to Evan Nepean, Esq. Secretary of the Admiralty, dated Port Mabon, June.
SIR,
I have the pleasure to transmit a copy of Lord Cochrane's letter relative to the very spirited and brilliant action with a Spanish xebeck frigate.
I have the honour to be, &c.
MANLEY DIXON.
His Majesty's sloop Speedy, off Barcelona, 6th May, Castello fern, N^four miles.
SIR,
I have the pleasure to inform you, that the sloop I have the honour to command, after a mutual chase and warm action, has captured a Spanish xebeck frigate, of 32 guns, twenty two long twelve pounders, eight nines, and two heavy carronades, named the Gamo, commanded by Don Francisco de Torris, manned by 319 naval Officers, -seamen, supernumeraries, and marines. The great disparity of force rendering it necessary to adopt some measure that might prove decisive, I resolved to board, and, with Lieutenant Parker, the Honourable Mr. Cochrane, the boatswain, and crew, boarded, when, by the impetuosity of the attack, we forced them instantly to strike their colours. I have to lament in boarding the loss of one man only; the severel wounds received by Lieutenant Parker, both from musketry and the sword, one wound received by the boatswain, and one seaman. I must be permitted to say there could not be greater regularity nor more cool determined conduct shown by men, than by the crew of the Speedy. Lieutenant Parker, whom I beg leave to recommend to their Lordships' notice, as well as the Honourable Mr. Cochrane, deserve all the approbation that can be bestowed. The exertions and good conduct of the boatswain, carpenter, and petty officers, I acknowledge with pleasure, as well as the skill and attention of Mr. Guthrie the surgeon. I have the honour to be, &c.
M. Dixon, Esq. (Signed) COCHRANE.
List of killed, wounded.
Speedy's force at the commencement of the action.
Fifty-four Officers, men, and boys. Three killed, and eight Wounded.
Fourteen four-pounders (guns).
Gamo's force at the commencement of the action.
274 Officers, seamen, boys, and supernumeraries; forty-fiire marines. Total 319.
Don Francisco de Torris, the boatswain, and thirteen men, killed ?, forty-one wounded.
Thirty-two guns