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INTRODUCTION.

A NAVAL writer has asserted, that none but a naval man can write naval history; and therefore, from parity of reasoning, it may be inferred, that none but naval men can understand naval

history when written. Without admitting the truth of this assertion, certain it is, whatever may be the cause, that something operates against the popularity of this subject with the general mass of readers, and it is but fair to suppose, that, in this country, where our ideas of national glory have been for many years chiefly identified with the actions of our seamen, nothing but the use of technical phrases, and such expressions as are necessary to the right understanding of nautical manoeuvres, but which are, at the same time, unintelligible to the majority of the reading world, prevents the history of our navy, as it is full of romantic incidents, from being as interesting as the most striking tale of fiction; and after a perusal of some of the following anec

dotes it may be well affirmed that truth is stranger than fiction.

Without pretending, therefore, to write naval history, our object has been to set forth, in everyday language, such traits of courage and feats of individual daring as may best serve to illustrate the generally received idea of the British sailor's character for "courage verging on temerity." These narratives have, with few exceptions, already appeared in print, chiefly in the Gazette, but they have in all cases, where it has been possible, been verified by reference to the original documents, and relieved of their dry official tone, by a detail of minor incidents communicated to us in many instances by participators, and which, like the minute touches in a painting, bring out the lights and shades, and make the picture more resemble nature.

DEEDS OF NAVAL DARING.

BELLONA AND COURAGEUX.

THE year 1761 witnessed an action which may fairly be set down as one of the most conspicuous for the daring it exhibited, most successful in its results to the victors, and most singular in the circumstances under which it was fought; for we see an officer carrying valuable freights, which would, had merely prudential considerations existed, have been sufficient justification for his avoiding an action with an enemy of equal force, seeking out and pursuing with energy an antagonist far superior to himself in every respect, under the following circumstances.

The Bellona, of 74 guns and 558 men, commanded by Captain R. Faulknor, and the Brilliant, 36-gun frigate, Captain Loggie, sailed in company from the Tagus, in the month of August, 1761-the line-of-battle ship having a large freight on board on merchants' accounts. When a little off Vigo, on the evening of the 14th of that month, three sail were discovered approaching the land, along which the British ships were running. The strangers continued

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their course until they had come within six or seven miles, when suddenly, on making out the character of the hostile ships, they changed their course and made sail before the wind, in flight. Upon this the Bellona and Brilliant stood after them, and crowded all the canvas they could carry in pursuit, and, being favoured by a bright moonlight, they managed to sight the enemy during the whole night; and, gaining a little in the chase, at sunrise were within five miles, and made out the enemy's squadron to consist of one ship of 74 guns, the Courageux, with 700 men, and two frigates of 36 guns each, the Malicieuse and Ermine (and it may here be stated that the Courageux was a crack ship and a model of her class). At five o'clock, A.M., on the 15th August, the English ships were almost up with the frigates, and the action commenced between the Brilliant and Malicieuse. After exchanging a few broadsides, the Frenchman shot ahead; when Captain Loggie, perceiving, by the disposition of the French, that he should have both the frigates upon him at once, observed to his officers, that in his present circumstances he could not expect to take either of them, but that all he could propose to do was to avoid being taken himself, and at the same time to find sufficient employment for both the frigates, so that neither might be able to annoy the Bellona, who was no more than a match for her antagonist, the line-of-battle ship. With

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