The Enquirer

West-Indies.

BARBADOES, Feb. 12.

GALLANT NAVAL ACTION.

His Majesty's brig Curieux, capt. Bettesworth, which sailed from hence on the 3d inst. has triumphantly returned this morning with the enemy's proudly boasted privateer Madame Ernouf! At day light yesterday morning the Curieux discovered the enemy, who crowded all sail to escape, but after 11 hours chase was brought to action, which commenced with equal gallantry on both sides, and lasted from four o'clock, until half past five o'clock in the afternoon; the enemy three times throwing his vessel on board the Curieux, and attempting to board, but as often failed with considerable loss. From the true courage of the enemy, in sustaining the dreadful fire of the Curieux, evinced by the shocking havock of the crew, and shattered state of the vessel.--Captain Bettesworth derives additional honor by obtaining a victory, which, although not of great magnitude, has been as obstinately contested as any in the annals of naval gallantry. What renders it the more considerable and important is the thus having secured our trade from the further depredations of one of the enemy's most successful cruizers; also strengthening our own naval force by the addition of a remarkable fine vessel, which when thoroughly repaired, will answer his majesty's service in these seas. The Madame Ernouf had sailed on her present cruize three weeks ago. from Guadaloupe, commanded by captain Cassex, is a brig of 16 heavy sixes, and carried one hundred and twenty men; had only made one capture, the ship Minerva, (retaken by the Nimrod) in which ten of her crew were absent, and in the above action had seventeen killed and thirty wounded. The vessel considerably Shattered in her hull, her foretopmast carried away, and literally almost every sail and part of her rigging cut up. On board the Curieux, one officer (Mr. Maddock, purser) and four men were killed, and three men, one mortally wounded. Captain Bettesworth received a slight wound in the cheek from a musquet ball, which made an incision in his ear, and passed through his hat. The Curieux is a large brig (and was about this time twelve months out of Fort Royal. captain, then lieut. Bettesworth being second in the command in the enterprize) carries an equal number of guns with the enemy, but of heavier metal, and has one hundred and eighteen men.