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Foreign News
March 31, 1758
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
On January 2, 1758, in Dungeness Road, HMS Adventure under Capt. Bray captured the French privateer Machault from Dunkirk after a fierce engagement, with 40 French casualties versus 3 British.
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Full Text
Admiralty Office, January 7.
Extract of a Letter from Capt. Bray, Commander of His Majesty's armed Vessel the Adventure, to Admiral Smith, dated in Dungeness Road, January 2, 1758.
"Being at Anchor here Yesterday Afternoon, about one o'Clock saw a Snow reaching in for the Ness: at first took her for a Man of War; however we cleared Ship, and veered away to the Splice on the Windlass. About two cut the Splice, and made Sail large. A few Minutes after began to fire at each other, when judging he intended to take us, I ordered the Helm to be put hard a Port, which had the desired Effect of laying her athwart Hawse, her Bowsprit coming in between our Main and Mizen Masts.
We immediately passed the End of the Mizentop sail Sheet through his Bowsprit, and made it fast; but fearing to lose so good an Opportunity, and that they would get clear of us, got a Hawser, and passed it three Times round her Bowsprit and the Capstan on our Quarter Deck, so that the Action depended chiefly on the Small Arms, which was very smart about an Hour. She then struck her Colours, but upon our boarding her, began to fire again, which was soon silenced. She proves to be the Machault Privateer of Dunkirk, 14 Nine Pounders, and 182 Men, Jean Jacques Vernuft, Commander, and came from thence the same Morning. I cannot exactly say, but from the best Information I can as yet get, we have killed and wounded 40 Men, with the Loss of only one Man killed, and two wounded, on our Side."
Extract of a Letter from Capt. Bray, Commander of His Majesty's armed Vessel the Adventure, to Admiral Smith, dated in Dungeness Road, January 2, 1758.
"Being at Anchor here Yesterday Afternoon, about one o'Clock saw a Snow reaching in for the Ness: at first took her for a Man of War; however we cleared Ship, and veered away to the Splice on the Windlass. About two cut the Splice, and made Sail large. A few Minutes after began to fire at each other, when judging he intended to take us, I ordered the Helm to be put hard a Port, which had the desired Effect of laying her athwart Hawse, her Bowsprit coming in between our Main and Mizen Masts.
We immediately passed the End of the Mizentop sail Sheet through his Bowsprit, and made it fast; but fearing to lose so good an Opportunity, and that they would get clear of us, got a Hawser, and passed it three Times round her Bowsprit and the Capstan on our Quarter Deck, so that the Action depended chiefly on the Small Arms, which was very smart about an Hour. She then struck her Colours, but upon our boarding her, began to fire again, which was soon silenced. She proves to be the Machault Privateer of Dunkirk, 14 Nine Pounders, and 182 Men, Jean Jacques Vernuft, Commander, and came from thence the same Morning. I cannot exactly say, but from the best Information I can as yet get, we have killed and wounded 40 Men, with the Loss of only one Man killed, and two wounded, on our Side."
What sub-type of article is it?
Naval Affairs
Piracy Or Privateering
What keywords are associated?
Naval Engagement
Privateer Capture
Dunkirk Machault
Hms Adventure
Dungeness Road
What entities or persons were involved?
Capt. Bray
Admiral Smith
Jean Jacques Vernuft
Where did it happen?
Dungeness Road
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Dungeness Road
Event Date
January 2, 1758
Key Persons
Capt. Bray
Admiral Smith
Jean Jacques Vernuft
Outcome
machault privateer of dunkirk captured, 14 nine-pounders, 182 men; french killed and wounded about 40; british 1 killed, 2 wounded.
Event Details
HMS Adventure engaged and captured the French privateer Machault after maneuvering to lay her athwart hawse, securing her with lines, and fighting with small arms for an hour; privateer struck colors but fired again upon boarding.