"...the very spirited and brilliant action..."

[anteros_lmc]

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.

Comments

[charliecochrane]

Huzzay, huzzay, huzzay!

[anteros_lmc]

Three cheers for Cochrane the Dauntless!

[eglantine_br]

I like the letter very much. It is, I know, a kind of form letter, but it gives the information in a sprightly, energetic, and clear way that makes it easy to read.

[anteros_lmc]

I think Cochrane wrote with the same style that he did everything else!

[vespican]

Of course this seemingly impossible victory is recorded in fiction by Patrick O'Brian as Jack Aubrey/Stephen Maturin of HMS Sophie taking on the Spanish xebec frigate Cacafuego.
Dave

[anteros_lmc]

Which just goes to show that truth really is stranger than fiction!

[stevie_carroll]

A splendid illustration and account there.

[esteven]

Had I not commented on this?
Oh dear!
*blushes at a so far missed opportunity*

It is true that sometimes truth is even stranger than fiction, esp when even friendship follows that path, knowing that even 28 years later Dundonald would write
Dear Guthrie,

This is the sixth of May, and twenty-eight years have now elapsed since the affair of the Gamo, when we were together in the little Speedy. How many kings have passed; how many acquaintances have departed since that day, leaving scarcely a trace to recall them to mind! I have often however thought of you, though I have not written now for a long time. finishing his letter with
Believe me dear Guthrie
ever most sincerely yours
Dundonald

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Gah, I will always have a soft spot for them. Thank you for putting up this post.

[anteros_lmc]

My goodness, you did well to spot this post after two months! Im very glad you did though, what a lovely, lovely letter to Dear Guthrie, thank you so much for sharing. They really were particular friends :)

[esteven]

The usual suspect!