The Frenchman declares that it was the Ceres which dismasted his ship, though both the captains state in their letters that she lost her foremast, etc., in boarding the Thetis. Captain Charnley says the two other ships stood off, and came out of the fight undamaged, whereas they both report considerable injury, and the captain of the Penelope states that ten of her guns were disabled. The only casualty, however, appears to have been one passenger killed, while the Ceres had only two men injured, through their own careless handling of the ammunition—though "the small-shot and grape came on board like hail."
Now, when we are told that a ship has ten guns disabled in action, and that the only person touched was a passenger, presumably not stationed at a gun, the question inevitably presents itself—where were the guns' crews? Also, when grape and case are coming on board like hail, it seems odd that nobody is hit. Every one who has any experience or knowledge of battle is aware, of course, that the saying that "every bullet has its billet" is rank romance; a vast majority of bullets discharged in hot action find no other billet than the bottom of the sea—unless, indeed, they are swallowed by inquisitive fish while sinking—or the nearest hillside. Still, these two good men do not appear to make out their case very well; let us hope that they did not deliberately lie to their owners. The Frenchman was, of course, interested in demonstrating that he was beaten off by three, rather than by one ship; still, he was perhaps a very truthful man: and there we must leave it. The only thing quite clear is that the Bonaparte made rather sure of catching three good prizes, and was considerably sold.
[21] That is, indemnity from having the crew pressed by any man-of-war which was short of hands. As a regular privateer, she would be exempt from this; but apparently she and her consorts were merchantmen, armed and probably provided with what were loosely termed letters of marque for protection in case of attack.
CAPTURE OF THE FRENCH PRIVATEER "JEUNE RICHARD"