1811     ACTION OFF MADAGASCAR     19

and Clorinde were fast approaching to the support of their nearly overpowered consort.

These two frigates, in the mean time, having kept their broadsides to bear by the aid of their boats, had terribly battered the Galatea. The cutter of the latter having been cut adrift by a shot while towing astern, the jollyboat was got ready to tow the ship's head round ; but a shot sank her just as the tow-rope was being handed on board, and, scarcely were the tackles got up to hoist out a third boat, when a shot carried away the foreyard tackle. Some seamen now got sweeps out of the head ; and at length the Galatea was enabled to open her broadside upon her two antagonists, particularly upon the Renommée, who received the greater portion of her fire. About this time, as already mentioned, a light breeze sprang up ; and, while the Renommée. and Clorinde made sail to support the Néréide, the Galatea, with her masts much wounded, and her hull greatly shattered, hauled towards the Astrea and Racehorse, and at 8 p.m. ceased firing. At 8 h. 30 m. p.m., just as the Galatea, under a press of sail, was passing to leeward of the Astrea, and Captain Losack had hailed Captain Schomberg, to say that his ship had suffered considerably, the Galatea's fore topmast fell over the larboard bow and the mizen topmast upon the main yard. Having at this time three feet 10 inches water in the hold, her foremast, main yard, main topmast, and bowsprit badly wounded, and her rigging of every sort cut to pieces, the Galatea hailed the Racehorse for assistance, and Captain De Rippe sent on board a midshipman and 10 men. Captain Losack then made the night signal of distress to the commodore. The Astrea immediately closed the Galatea ; and, hailing, was informed, that the latter was in too disabled a state to put her head towards the enemy and renew the action.

The Astrea then wore round on the larboard tack ; and Captain Schomberg ordered the Racehorse to follow him closely, as he intended to renew the action as soon as the Phoebe was in a state to give her support. This frigate was promptly reported ready ; and at about 8 h. 25 m. p.m. the Astrea, Phoebe, and Racehorse bore up towards the enemy, whose lights were then visible in the west-north-west. It appears that, after the Renommée and Clorinde had obliged the Phoebe to quit the Néréide, the latter, on account of her disabled state, was ordered by the commodore to make for the land ; while the Renommée, followed by her remaining consort, hauled up in line of battle to renew the engagement. Shortly afterwards the Clorinde lost a man overboard, and, in bringing to to pick him up, necessarily dropped astern of her leader. Captain Roquebert, however, in the most gallant manner, stood on his course, and at 9 h. 50 m. p.m. came to close action with the Astrea, whom, with a heavy fire of round, grape, and musketry, the Renommée attempted to lay athwart hawse ; but, aware of the numerical superiority of

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