Copy of a letter from Rear Admiral Duckworth to Evan Nepean, Esq., dated Leviathan, off Lisbon, the 13th inst.
“Sir,
“You will be pleased to lay before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty the copy of a letter from Captain Brenton, of the Speedy, relating the destruction of three Spanish vessels he chased on the 3rd inst.; it is but justice to this officer to observe, that his exertions and gallantry at all opportunities do him the highest honour.
“I have the honour to be, &c.
“J. J. DUCKWORTH.”
“Speedy, at Sea, October 4, 1799.
“Sir,
“I have the honour to inform you, that yesterday, whilst running through the gut of Gibraltar, in sight of the British convoy, I observed a number of small vessels, coming out of Algesiras, and concluded they were Spanish gun boats, endeavouring to cut off some of the merchant ships; I therefore steered for them, in order to keep them as far as possible from the body of the fleet; but upon our near approach, perceiving they were Spanish coasters, eight in number, under the protection of a cutter and schooner, made all sail in chase, and soon separated the two sternmost from the body; they ran under the guns of a castle, which opened a fire upon us, and prevented our bringing them off. We continued the pursuit of the others, passing under the shot from Tariffa castle; and at four p.m. came up with four more in a bay to the eastward of Cape Trafalgar: one immediately anchored near a fort, and the other three under a castle which had one gun mounted; as it blew very heavy from the eastward, and being on a lee shore, we could not go as near them as I could wish, but anchored within four cables’ length, and bringing our guns to bear upon the castle (which appeared to be in a very ruinous state, and did not return our fire,) and the vessels; we in a short time, compelled the Spaniards to abandon them all, first cutting their cables, by which means they drove on shore. I then sent Lieutenant Parker to endeavour to bring them off, and shortly after Mr. Marshall to assist; or if that was not practicable to set them on fire; neither of which could be effected from the heavy surf breaking entirely over them, and rendering our approach dangerous to the boats. They however boarded them, brought away some of their fire arms, threw the remainder overboard, leaving them full of water, and complete wrecks. One vessel was laden with brandy and paper; one with English manufacture (cutlery, hardware, &c.); and the third in ballast. I beg leave to express the high satisfaction I received from the conduct of Lieutenant Parker, in boarding the vessel under the walls of the castle, while exposed to musketry from the beach; also of Mr. Ricketts, the purser, who was a volunteer upon that service. The attention of Mr. Marshall, the master, to the anchoring his Majesty’s sloop, and the able assistance I have received from him on former occasions, renders him worthy of the fullest confidence.
“I have the honour to be, &c.
“J. BRENTON.”