It was the practice of the Post-Office to defer as much as possible to the wishes of the commanders on the rare occasions when it was necessary to choose a substitute, and Mr. Saverland, the agent, felt that he could not urge that Mr. Carter should be appointed in opposition to the captain’s wish, especially as the latter had selected a person whom he preferred. This person, to whom the command of a Packet on an Atlantic voyage in time of war was to be entrusted, was not even a trained seaman. He was a retired lawyer, living at Falmouth, who occupied his leisure a good deal in yachting.
Mr. Saverland demurred to this proposal. It was, however, six o’clock in the evening when the interview took place, and the “Lady Mary Pelham” was to sail on the following morning. There was not time to make any other arrangements; and Mr. Saverland, recollecting that at least the master of the vessel was a brave and experienced officer, gave way and signed the appointment—a piece of complaisance which he long regretted.
The “Lady Mary Pelham” thus sailed from Falmouth on October 13th under the command of a retired lawyer, whose knowledge of the sea had been entirely gained upon a yacht. Six days later the “Montagu” sailed from Falmouth upon the same voyage, commanded by Captain John Arthur Norway, R.N.
Of the crew of the “Montagu,” the reader has already heard. Their gallant conduct, earlier in the year, under Captain Hartney had gained them reputation. Their present commander was making his first voyage in the service of the Post-Office; and it will not be irrelevant to state very briefly what his career had been.
Captain Norway entered the navy as midshipman in 1785. In January, 1793, when Captain Edward Pellew (afterwards Sir Edward, and finally Lord Exmouth) was appointed to the “Nymphe” frigate, Norway joined as mate, and was promoted to lieutenant for gallantry in the well known action with the “Cléopatre” frigate, in which he was wounded. He served with Pellew in all his actions until the year 1799, and was second lieutenant of the “Indefatigable” on that January night in 1797, when, in company with the “Amazon,” she fell in with the “Droits de l’Homme,” the last remnant of Hoche’s scattered expedition, labouring homeward full of troops. The circumstances of the action which ensued will hardly be forgotten by any one who has read the story in James’ work; and for his conduct in that most memorable fight, Norway was appointed first lieutenant of his own ship. In this capacity he served until 1798, when he was invalided home, but was shortly afterwards appointed to command a cutter on the Irish station. And when war broke out afresh he obtained a command at Portsmouth. He had been made commander in 1802, and in 1806, in consequence of broken health, was placed on half-pay. On recovering he found his applications for employment disregarded, in common with those of many other good officers who lacked interest; and after having spent several years fruitlessly in importuning the Admiralty he resolved to enter the Packet Service, which he accordingly did, with the advantage of testimonials of the highest kind.
The “Montagu” made a better passage than the “Pelham,” and at 1.30 P.M. on November 1st she landed her mails at Funchal. Captain Norway did not anchor, but stood off and on, waiting for the mails to be brought on board. Early in the evening he saw the “Lady Mary Pelham” to windward, and made the night signal, but received no answer. Shortly before 2 A.M. a strange schooner hove in sight. The crew were called to quarters; and at 5 A.M. the schooner ran down alongside the “Montagu,” poured in her broadside, received one in return, and sheered off without much damage on either side.
The officers of the “Lady Mary Pelham” lying-to under the land heard the firing, which appeared to them to be coming off shore, but at daybreak they sighted the “Montagu,” whereupon Mr. Carter, the master, boarded her, and learned what had occurred. The schooner, which was evidently a Privateer, lay to all day in sight of the land, obviously waiting for the Packets, and it was apparent to everyone that there was going to be a fight.
Both Packets received their mails between 7 and 8 in the evening, and set sail in company without delay. Nothing was seen of the schooner during the night, but on the following morning, November 2nd, she appeared in chase, though at some distance. The crew of the “Montagu” exercised their great guns, and both Packets were cleared for action.
The wind was moderate, blowing from the east or north-east; and at 2 P.M. the Privateer was coming up fast astern under studding sails. Captain Norway, having ordered the “Lady Mary Pelham” to take up a position ahead of the “Montagu” on the starboard bow, and within hail, hoisted his colours, and the crew of both Packets gave three cheers.
At 2.50 P.M. the “Montagu” opened fire with her stern chaser (a long 9–pounder), to which the Privateer replied with her bow guns. This cannonade caused little damage on either side; and the enemy, continuing to come up quickly with the “Montagu,” was upon her starboard quarter shortly after 3 o’clock.