The New Hampshire Gazette

PHILADELPHIA, August 17.

On Thursday, the Third Instant, the Britannia Privateer, Captain M'Pherson, arrived here in 21 Days from Jamaica, from whom we have the following Account.

viz. That on the 12th of May last he took a large Ship from Leogane, with Dutch Papers, and a French Crew on board, into which he put his first Lieutenant, a Midshipman, and 18 Hands. The next Morning, being then off the West Caicos Bank, he saw another large Ship, which he gave Chase to, came up with, and found to be a Frigate with 20 Guns upon one Deck. About 10 o'Clock the Britannia shewed her Colours, and fired a Gun, which the Frenchman returned, hoisted his Colours, and for about an Hour fired his Stern Chases constantly at Capt. M'Pherson, without his returning one Shot. After this he gave the Frigate a Broadside, and ran out his Oars, in order to get nearer the Ship; but finding that most of the Enemy's Shot took Place, and his People at the Oars much exposed, some of whom were already killed, he laid them in, and began the Action, which continued equally severe on both Sides for about an Hour: during which Time he experienced that the Frigate was too heavy for him at such a Distance, therefore determined to lay her along Side; upon which he ceased Firing, ran out his Oars again, and being fully resolved on boarding, fixed Laniards to the Oars, that they might be launched overboard, and expected every Moment to have their Grapplings on board the Enemy; when by some Mistake, the Oars were launched without Orders, and the Privateer was at least twice her own Length from the Frigate, and could not make Way enough to run up to her: so that he was obliged to engage a second Time in a very different Manner from what was intended; having then no other Chance but to dispute it at that Distance with a Ship of 22 Nine-pounders, within half Pistol shot, and, at the same Time, so unfortunate as not to be within Reach of heaving a Hand Granade into her, nor could they get nearer or farther off from one another, there not being the least Breath of Wind. Thus the Engagement lasted for about an Hour and a Half, in as smart a Manner, perhaps, as has happened betwixt two Ships, when Capt. M'Pherson was wounded in the Breast by a Wad; in about Half an Hour after had his Right Arm shattered by a Shot above the Wrist; and immediately upon that received another Shot, which almost carried away the same Arm above the Elbow. Upon this he was obliged to be carried down to the Doctor, after first requesting the second Lieutenant to continue to fight the Ship, for that the Enemy must soon strike, and encouraging his People to stand by her; which they all promised to do, and in general did, fighting most gallantly; but the Captain, with great Surprize and Sorrow, soon after heard the Orders given for striking his Colours, tho' he had often publicly declared he would never strike to that Ship; and this happened just at the time when the Frenchman had ordered his Colours to be struck; so that a Moment or two's Delay in hawling down the Britannia's Colours, would have saved her, and made a Prize of the Frigate. Capt. M'Pherson's Company consisted of 118 Men; his Metal 16 Six pounders, and six small Guns on the Quarter Deck; he had 12 Men killed outright, and 27 wounded, five of which have since died of their Wounds. The Frigate mounted 20 Guns, Nine-pounders, but being pierced for 22, fought 11 of a Side. had 22 Men killed, the Number of the Wounded not known. The Britannia had 270 Shot thro' her Larboard Side, some of which under Water: and the Masts, Yards and Rigging of both Ships, were in a most shattered Condition, most of which shot away. Capt. M'Pherson's first Lieutenant, in the Prize, was in Sight during the Action, and seeing the Privateer's Fire much smarter towards the End of the Engagement than the Frenchman's, and observing her Colours flying, and the Frigate's struck (a French Finne, in order to deceive him) imagined Captain M'Pherson had taken her, so bore down upon him, when he was brought to, and taken. The French Captain used Captain M'Pherson in the most humane and genteel Manner; and finding it impossible, in the Condition the Vessels were in, to carry the Privateer with him, after throwing all her Guns and Ammunition overboard, gave her to him, and wished him safe into Port. In eight Days after he, with great Difficulty, got to Jamaica, a mere Wreck. The first and second Lieutenants, with five of the Britannia's People, were carried off in the Frigate.