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In order to render more intelligible our details of the manœuvres of the combatants in this celebrated frigate-action, we here subjoin an explanatory diagram
The Nymphe mounted the same maindeck guns as D in the table at p. 91, with two long 6-pounders, and eight carronades, 24-pounders, on the quarterdeck and forecastle; total, 40 guns. The loss on board the Nymphe was tolerably severe. Out of a crew of 240 men and boys, she had her boatswain (Tobias James), one master's mate (Richard Pearse), three midshipmen (George Boyd, John Davie, and Samuel Edfall), 14 seamen, and four private marines killed, her second lieutenant (George Luke), two midshipmen (John A. Norway and John Plane), one lieutenant of marines (John Whittaker), 17 seamen, and 6 private marines wounded; total, 23 killed, and 27 wounded. The loss on board the Cléopâtre, in killed and wounded together, out of a crew, as certified by her surviving officers, of 320 men and boys, amounted to 63. Among the wounded were included the ship's three lieutenants; and, among her killed, was the truly gallant Captain Mullon. A round shot had torn open his back, and carried away the greater part of his left hip. It is related that, having the list of coast-signals adopted by the French in one of his pockets,* Captain Mullon, during his short agonies, drew forth a paper, which he imagined was the right one (but which really was not), and died biting it to pieces. Here was a trait of heroism ! And yet no French writer, as far as we can discover, has recorded the fact.
The Cléopâtre was armed the same as her classmate, No. 7, in the table at p. 54, except in having 28 instead of 26 long 12s, and eight instead of ten long 6-pounders. The British vessel, according to this statement, possessed, in * Osier mentions, that this gallant French officer took out his commission by mistake, and expired in the act of devouring it. ^ back to top ^ |
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