The Gazette

Capture of two Dutch Frigates.

Sirius, off Grisly Roads, Nov. 1, 1798.

I have the honor to inform you for the present that in pursuance of orders I received from Vice Admiral Sir Richard Onslow, Bart. parted company with the fleet off the evening of the 2d inst. to reconnoitre the force of the enemy in the Texel. At eight A. M. on the following morning, the Texel bearing S ty- five leagues, I fell in with the two Dutch frigates named in the margin,* at that time about two miles distant of each other.

Passing within gun shot of these vessels most of them, I stood on until I could (upon tacking) nearly fetch the weathermost (the Waakzaamheid) my object being to prevent their junction; and by these means, that being accomplished, I had the satisfaction to cut off the latter, and bring her to about nine o'clock, when she hauled down her colors and fired a gun to leeward: as soon as the prisoners were exchanged. I made sail after the other, and although nearly out of sight, I had the good fortune before 5 P. M. to bring her to a kind of running action, which continued about half an hour, within musquet shot at times, during which she kept up a smart but ill directed discharge of cannon and musquetry, when she struck to his Majesty's ship: she is called the Furie, and under the orders of the captain of the Waakzaamheid, and had the command of the troops and a number of officers on board.

I am happy to add, there was only one man wounded by a musket ball, and that his Majesty's ship suffered but little, one shot through her bowsprit: her rigging, &c. but little cut.

The loss, on board the Furie was eight men killed and sixteen wounded: her hull, masts, &c. have suffered much.

This expedition has been waiting an opportunity of sailing since the 21st of July last-- They left the Texel at 11 o'clock the preceding night.

I have the honor to be, &c.

RICHARD KING.

* Waakzaamheid. Capt. Nierce, Senior Captain, mounting 26 guns, 24 nine pounders on the main deck. two six pounders in the fore castle. having 160 Dutch Seamen, and 122 French troops (total 282) on board, also 2000 stands of arms, 1 files other ordnance stores.

Furie, Capt. Pletz of 36 guns. 24 twelve pounders on the deck and ten six pounders on her quarter deck under siege, with 160 Dutch seamen, and 165 French troops (total 325) on board, also 3000 stands of arms, 1 files other ordnance stores.