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The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Capt. Galt of the Spy Privateer reports a sharp three-hour naval engagement off Cape La Hogue on August 25 with two large French frigates, resulting in Capt. Bogie's death, damage to the Spy and Warren, and one killed, four wounded on the Spy. The enemy withdrew after the British ships disengaged from the shore.
Merged-components note: Continuation of the letter from Capt. Galt about an engagement with French ships near Cape La Hogue; the content is foreign news involving international naval conflict, so relabeled the second part from domestic_news to foreign_news.
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'After a vast deal of blustering Weather, and Westerly Winds, we got off the Wight, and took our Departure on Saturday Night last; on Sunday Morning, the 25th Instant, at 4 o'Clock fell in with Cape La Hogue, and about 5 we spied 4 Sail to the Westward, to whom we gave Chase, two held in close to the Land, and the other two, which were large Ships, when they observed us stand for them, bore down upon us, and between 6 and 7 o'Clock the Engagement began, which was very sharp and brisk for three Hours or thereabouts, they plied us so warmly, and bore us so in Shore, that we had some Difficulty to get ourselves disengaged from the Shore; however we extricated ourselves in the handsomest Manner we could, and they thought fit to sheer off, which we thought was very happy, as our Rigging was most miserably shattered, especially the Warren, whose Wheel was tore to Pieces by one of her own Guns, and her Topsail Ties being shot away, her Yards came down, so that she could not keep in a proper Situation. We re-fitted as expeditiously as the Time would possibly admit. The Enemy made a Feint to bear down upon us, but finding we were ready to give them a suitable Reception, they hauled their Wind, and made for the Main. It is my Opinion they are two French Frigates, just come out of Port, and Sisters to the Boscawen Privateer, and I would have acquainted Capt. Bogie what I thought of them before the Action began, if I could have come up to him in Time; but he was too far a head of me, and so little Wind that I could not speak with him; and, after the Engagement began, they kept such a continual Fire of their Small Arms, that we were forced to use our utmost Endeavours to clear ourselves of the Shore, which they certainly intended to run us on. We drew up in a Line, but they soon broke us. Their Metal were Nine Pounders. I am heartily sorry to give you the melancholy News of Captain Bogie's Death; about the Middle of the Action he was shot in the Shoulder by a Musket Ball, and
as they carried him down to the deck, a Shot took him in the Head and killed him. I have one Man killed and four wounded. Our Men behaved as well as could be expected from such as was not seasoned to this sort of Work. The Action being very warm we expended a considerable Quantity of Powder, as we were obliged to fire incessantly, to prevent their boarding of us, and to get clear of the Land.'
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Where did it happen?
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Cape La Hogue
Event Date
The 25th Instant
Key Persons
Outcome
captain bogie killed by musket ball and shot; one man killed and four wounded on the spy; rigging shattered on spy and warren; enemy frigates sheered off after engagement.
Event Details
The Spy Privateer and Warren chased four sails off Cape La Hogue, engaging two large French frigates in a sharp three-hour battle starting at 6-7 o'Clock on August 25. The enemy forced them toward shore with warm fire, but the British ships disengaged, refitted, and the enemy withdrew. Enemy ships armed with nine-pounders; British expended much powder to avoid boarding and grounding.