“J. BRENTON.”
“7 p.m. Just spoke Lord Keith, and have received orders to proceed to Minorca.
“Jahleel Brenton, Esq.
Regulating Captain, Edinburgh.”
After remaining a few days at Port Mahon, the Speedy directed her course for Gibraltar; and when off Cape de Gatte gave chase to three large armed Xebecs, which ran in and anchored in a close line, in a sandy bay to the westward of the cape. The Speedy immediately attacked them under sail, and was joined by the Defender, a brig privateer, belonging to Gibraltar, of twelve guns. Captain Brenton finding he could not keep up an effectual fire under weigh, pushed in, in hopes of finding soundings, which he at length did within pistol shot of the enemy, and let go his anchor. The engagement continued for more than half an hour, when the Spaniards took to their boats, and their vessels were captured and brought off by the Speedy and Defender. The largest mounted twelve, the second ten, and the third six guns; and in a few days with the Speedy arrived at Gibraltar.
The Speedy again visited Oporto, and was again dispatched from Lisbon to Gibraltar with the mail. On her way back from the rock to Oporto, she chased three Spanish vessels, and drove them on shore; but the surf was so heavy they could not be got off.
The following official letters describe some of the actions in which the Speedy was engaged, and the opinions pronounced on her commander by his superiors.
From the Gazette, Admiralty Office, 21st September, 1799.
Copy of a letter from Earl St. Vincent, K.B. Admiral of the White, &c. to Evan Nepean, Esq. dated 17th Sept. 1799.
“Sir,
“I enclose for the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a letter I have received from Captain Brenton, of His Majesty’s Sloop Speedy, giving an account of the capture of three Spanish armed vessels.