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The captain had the awesome responsibility in September 1779 of bringing the Baltic fleet safely ^0fne. English dockyards at that time were very deficient in naval stores from the Baltic and the convoy "'as of great importance and value. The Royal Navy "’as so dispersed at the time that the Admiralty could asstgn to the convoy only a puny escort—a 44-gun ship 886-tons. The ship was one of the Rainbow class, a class renowned for bad qualities. She was a two-decker, and her lower ports were so close to the water that in a heavy sea they could not be opened safely, and there "'as so little space between decks that it was difficult to "'ork her twenty 18-pounders. Her upper deck was Protected only by a light four-foot high bulwark. The Vents of the 12-pounders on the main deck were so old 'hat a great part of the powder exploded through them, ^he had been launched only six months before, and her Pe°ple had not had time to adjust to her many defects.
Her commanding officer unburdened himself to the Admiralty on 23 September 1779, writing that he had °rdered the captain of a 22 gun ship to help escort the c°nvoy, “having found that one ship was insufficient "'ith every attention that could possibly be given to *eep so large a convoy in any sort of order or regularity, and this wholly proceeding from the Obstinacy, 'gnorance, or Natural disposition to disobedience of ^°st Masters of Merchantships in all Convoys.” On 1 ^ePtember, he had sailed from the Nore with 70 Merchant ships under convoy, and two days later he fell In with 26 sail of ships from Newcastle, Sunderland and j^arby ports, bound for Elsinore. The convoy was hit a very' bad gale from the west as it was crossing the Jutland Reefs and with great difficulty weathered that sdore. The ships were much dispersed and made what P°tts they could on the coast of Norway. The escort "essel brought to at Flekery Island and waited for the c°nvoy to join her. Her captain collected as many of the stfagglers as he could but soon found that those Merchant ships that had not been able to carry sail enough to fetch the Norway coast had borne up to run for Elsinore, to await the next convoy.
The 44-gunner then anchored in a small cove near Christiansand where it was learned that the other escort and some strays had found refuge in Meardow, a small port ten leagues to the eastward. He wrote to the captain of the smaller ship telling him to join him off Flekery with the first favorable wind. He also sent word
with what courage the English fought and tha1
you are inclined perhaps, by your training and envirof
to the masters of ships in various ports along the coast, telling them to join up with the other group. In this way the convoy of 50 sail put to sea on 15 September with the first easterly wind. At 8 p.m. he set sail to the westward and in the morning of 23 September made the island near Whitby, Scotland, with 44 sail in company. The ships for other Scottish ports had parted company two nights before without making their intentions known to him.
That same morning, at about 11 a.m., being close to Scarborough, a boat came out with a letter from the bailiffs of that town with a warning that a flying squadron of two large enemy ships appearing to be of 50 guns, and one large frigate of 40 guns, a brig, and two sloops with topsail rigging, had been sighted off the coast.
The captain at once made the signal for the convoy to bear down on his lee, but the van of the convoy kept their wind with all sail stretching out to the southward until between noon and 1 p.m. when the foremost of them sighted the enemy ships, which started in chase of them. The merchantmen tacked and headed for Scarborough, letting fly their topgallant sheets and firing guns. The captain made all the sail he could to get between the convoy and the enemy, and at about 4 p.m. had the enemy in plain view—a squadron of three large ships and a brig. The smaller of the English ships was close in shore with the convoy and the captain made a signal telling her to join him, and at the same time signaled the convoy to make the best of their way out of the danger zone.
He then brought to, so that the 22-gunner might come up, and cleared ship for action. At 5:30 the two joined forces, with the enemy bearing down on them with a light SSW breeze. At 6:00 they tacked and headed inshore to keep between the enemy and the convoy, the protection of the convoy being the major consideration.
The enemy flagship, a former Indiaman, of some 946 tons, was a very strongly built vessel designed to carry both guns and cargo. Her scantling was stout and her ports large and fitted for guns of large caliber. Her armament was estimated to be about 38 guns, eight 19- pounders on the lower deck, 28 long 12-pounders on the main deck and two long 6-pounders on the forecastle. In short, a solidly built, well-armed ship. The enemy squadron consisted of the flagship, a 36-gun frigate, 32- gun frigate, a 14-gun brig and a 14-gun cutter.
This squadron met the two ships at 7:20 p.m., when the English hailed the enemy asking “What ship is that?” The answer was “The Princess Roya/\" The English captain then asked where they came from and receiving an evasive answer warned that he would fire if they did not answer clearly and directly. The enemy
opened fire. The fire was returned with a broadside-
The battle was joined and at 10 p.m. the captain asked the enemy squadron commander if he had struck or if he asked for quarter. The enemy captain repli^ “I have not dreamt of such a thing, but am determined to make you strike.” At the time his ensign ^ hanging over the stern in the water, her staff having been shot away. The action continued until 10:30 p-^' when the English captain ordered the colors to b* struck, and at the same moment the mainmast fell ovt the side. Many of his officers had been killed ana two-thirds of his crew were either dead or severely wounded. His ship was a wreck, but that of hlS protagonist was sinking. The enemy’s cruise spoiled, and the convoy had made port safely.
The British commanding officers were both rewarded for their gallantry: The senior was knighted and latef promoted to flag rank; the other was also promoted. further mark the appreciation of the skill and courag- that had saved a valuable convoy from capture, thc London Assurance Company presented pieces of sib'cr plate to both captains, valued at 100 guineas and fiftj guineas respectively. Various other companies an corporations showed their gratitude at the servic£ performed.
But, a court-martial was held on 10 March 1780, °° hms Daphne in Sheerness Harbor, and presided ovd by Robert Teddam0 Vice-Admiral of the Blue, aided M seven captains and one lieutenant. The testimony 0 officers and men from both ships was taken in gre3t detail. The court, having maturely considered th£ evidence rendered an opinion “that the captains • ■ ’ assisted by their officers and men, have not old) acquitted themselves of their duty to their country bu1 have in the execution of such duty done infinite cred11 to themselves by a very obstinate defence against 3 superior force. The court do therefore unanimously acquit the said captains . . . , their officers and for the loss of their respective ships in the m°sl honorable manner and they are hereby most honorabb acquitted accordingly.” ,
Thus, the battle that set the tone and style 0 fighting for the U. S. Navy came to its final act, but1(1 the general euphoria of the times it was forgott^
although they had lost a battle the convoy was saved- ment, to judge otherwise, I ask only that you pause an consider the evidence in this engagement between Serapis and the Bonhomme Richard.
I
John Paul Jones had won a battle. But Captal11 Richard Pearson, with Captain Thomas Piercy HMS Countess of Scarborough had gained a strategy victory.