ADMIRALTY OFFICE, APRIL 27.

Copy of a Letter from Admiral Kingsmill, Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Ships and Vessels on the Goast of Ireland, to Evan Nepean, Esq. dated at Cork, the 19th inst.

SIR,

PLEASE to lay before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the inclosed Letter which I have received from Captain Moore, of his Majesty's ship Melampus, informing me of his having captured Le Papillon, of Nantz, French brig privateer. The prize arrived here yesterday.

SIR,

I have the honour to be, &c.

R. KINGSMILL.

Melampus, at Sea, 15th April.

I have the honour to inform you that we have this morning captured the French privateer brig Le Papillon, of Nantz, mounting ten nine pounders, and four brass 36-pounder carronades, and 123 men, after a chace of 25 hours; she is a remarkable fine new vessel, and sails admirably.-1 am, Sir, &c.

GRAHAM MOORE.

ADMIRALTY OFFICE, APRIL 29.

Copy of a Letter from Admiral Kingsmill, Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Ships and Vessels on the Coast of Ireland, to Evan Nepean, Esq. dated at Cork, the 22d

inst.

SIR,

PLEASE to lay before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the inelosed letter, received from Captain Moore, of his Majesty's ship Melampus, just returned from her cruise, giving account of a French privateer, of 20 guns, said to be Le Nantois, which he was in chace of, having overset, and that unfortunately none of her crew could be saved.—I am, &c.

SIR,

R. KINGSMILL. Melampus, at Sea, April 19.

I have the honour to inform you, that yesterday morning. in lat. 50 deg. 23 min. north longitude 15 deg. 20 min. west, we chased a Ship, which, on our firing at her, hoisted French colours. The wind blowing exceedingly hard at N. W. with a very high sea, she got before the wind when within half gun shot of her, and setting all possible sail, obstinately persisted in attempting to escape. After carrying away our studding sail booms, we continued firing our chase guns, when she suddenly gave a broad yaw to windward, instantly overset, and in the space of two minutes she went down, and not an atom of the wreck could be seen. The greatest exertion and the utmost expedition was used in bringing the Melampus to the wind as near the spot as possible, with a view of saving these unfortunate people, but nothing remained on the surface. I find, by the information of the Captain and Officers of Le Papillon, which sailed from Nautz about the same time with this Ship, and who knew her, both from her appearance and the signals she made to us, that she was Le Nantois, of fourteen twelve and six pounders, and one hundred and fifty men; and I am very sorry to add, that, from other circumstances, there is no room for doubt, that the Master and part of the crew of the Echo, of Poole, which she had taken, were amongst the sufferers on this melancholy occasion.-1 am, &c. Admiral Kingsmill, Cork.

ADMIRALTY OFFICE, MAY 4.

G. MOORE.

A List of Ships and Vessels taken and destroyed by the Squadron under the command of Sir Hugh Cloberry Christian, K. B. Rear Admiral of the White, and Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Ships and Vessels at the Cape of Good Hope, between the 19th of March 1798, and the 23d of November following; transmitted to Evan. Nepean, Esq. Secretary of the Admiralty.

By the Jupiter, Raisonable, Imperieuse, Braave, Rattlesnake, and Star-The 15th March, the Danish ship Matilde Marie, from Copenhagen bound to the Mauritius, laden with naval stores and sundries: naval stores condemned. The 20th March, the Danish sloop Fanny, from Roderiga, bound to the Mauritius, laden with paddy and indian corn: vessel sunk, cargo condemned. The

20th March, the French brig Le Dragon, from Madagascar, bound to the Mauritius, laden with slaves: vessel sunk, cargo condemned. The 22d March, the Danish sloop Forsoget, from Serampore bound to the Mauritius, laden with piece goods: under trial. The 27th March, the French sloop rancis Au gustus, in ballast: condemned. The 31st March, the French brig L'Abondance, from Madagascar, bound to the Mauritius, in ballast: condemned.

By the Jupiter, Raisonable, Imperieuse, Braave, Rattlesnake, Star, "Tremendous, Scepter, Stately, and Garland-The 29th May, the Danish ship Christianus Septimus, from Batavia, bound to Copenhagen, laden with coffee and sugar: under trial.

By L'Oiseau-The 8th July, the Danish ship Angelique, from Madras and Tranquebar, bound to Manilla, laden with piece goods; cargo belonging to American residents at Madras: under trial. The 30th August, the Danish ship Goede Hensigt, from Copenhagen, bound to the Mauritius, laden with naval stores and sundries: under trial. The 31st August, a French brig; cut out by the boats from the river Noire, Isle of France: condemned. A French brig: cut out by the boats from the river Noire, Isle of France, and afterwards sent in with prisoners. A French sloop sunk. The 1st Sept. the French brig Henrietta, from Bourbon, bound to the Mauritius, laden with rice: condemned. The French brig Reunion, from the Mauritius; corvette, six guns, and 27 men: condemned.

By the Stately, Braave, Garland, and Star-The 26th July, the French ship Necessaire, from the Mauritius, in ballast, run on shore by the Garland, on the rocks at St. Luce, Madagascar, and lost. A French sloop, from the Mauritius, in ballast: run on shore by the Braave. The 16th August, the French ship Bonne Intention, from the Mauritius, taken at Foul-point, and sent to assist the Garland; and since arrived at the Cape. The 16th August, the French sloop Ca Ira, from the Mauritius in ballast; taken at Foul-point, and afterwards destroyed. The 17th August, the French brig L'Elizabeth, from the Mauritius, in ballast; taken at Tamatave, Madagascar, and sent to assist the Garland; since arrived at the Cape. The 18th August, the French sloop L'Esperance, from the Mauritius; in ballast, taken at Foul-point, and sent to assist the Garland; since arrived at the Cape. The French brig L'Ursilie, from Madagascar, bound to the Isle of France, laden with rice : condemned.

By the L'Oiseau and Rattlesnake-The 21st November the Spanish schooner Santa Rosa, from Buenos Ayres, bound to the Mauritius, laden with 12,300 dollars, beef, pork, and flour; arrived at the Cape the 23d December 1798.

(Signed) LAUGHLAN M'LEAN,

Late Secretary to Sir H. C. Christian, deceased.

ADMIRALTY OFFICE, MAY 7.

Extract of a Letter from Capt. Charles Cobb, Commander of his Majesty's Ship Glat ton, to Evan Nepean, Esq. dated in Yarmouth Roads, April 4

AT six A. M. arrived Le Vengeur French cutter privateer, mounting 12 guns and 98 men, taken by his Majesty's sloop Martin, off the Scaw. The master of the Martin has just brought me Captain St. Clair's letter to Vice Admiral Dickson, which I'enclose for their Lordships' information.

SIR,

Sloop Martin, at Sea, April 29.

I beg leave to inform you I arrived safe at Elsineur with the convoy; I found the roads full of ice, and no trade come down from the Eastward, in consequence of which, and information of several privateers off the coast of Norway, I left the place, and on the 28th inst. at 10 A. M. the Scaw bearing S. W. by W. five leagues, descried one lugger and two cutter privateers; I immediately gave chace, came up with and captured one cutter at seven in the evening; she proved to be Le Vengeur, commanded by Citizen Charles Tack, a very fine vessel, of 14 guns, and 105 men, from Christiansand, taken nothing since out: I used all expedition in getting out the prisoners, and made sail after the others, but it coming on dark i was not so fortunate as to come up with them; had the day-light continued two hours longer I must inevitably have taken them. I have the honour to be, &c.

1

MONTHLY REGISTER

OF

Naval Events.

(FROM JUNE 18 TO JULY 13.)

HISTORICAL MEMOIR.

June THE Lord Mayor held a Court of Common Council, when his Lordship 18. introduced a letter from Alexander Davison, Esq. agent to Lord Nelson for the sale of the French ships of war taken at the Battle of the Nile, together with a letter from him to his Lordship, most gratefully acknowledging the honour of his Lordship's commission, and accompanying a silver and copper bronzed medal, to commemorate the late Victory of the Nile, which he requested might be deposited among the archives of the city. The Court very graciously accepted the medals, and ordered them to be placed with the sword taken from the French admiral (Monsieur Blanquet) by Lord Nelson, and that the thanks of this Court be presented to Mr. Davison for his very elegant present.

The medals represent the allegorical figure Hope, with the emblem proper, standing on a rugged rock, with an olive branch in her right hand, and supporting, by her left arm, the profile of Lord Nelson, on a medallion, to which she is pointing with her fore finger. Hope is crowned with oak and laurels, and the motto to the medallion is, " Europe's Hope, and Britain's Glory."These words express the real feelings of the surrounding nations, and the boast of this happy island.

The reverse represents the French fleet at anchor in the Bay of Aboukir, and the British Fleet advancing to the attack; the fortified islands in the enemy's van, the four frigates that were moored within the line to cover their flank, and the gun-boats near the islands; the setting sun, the coast of Egypt, the mouth of the Nile, and the castle of Aboukir,

Ramsgate, June 15 Monday morning last, a large Danish ship, the Hoefnung, bound from Altona to Malaga, with a cargo of staves, went on shore on the Goodwin. A Ramsgate mackerel-boat, observing her distress, made for the Sand to render her assistance. The crew, of six hands, with some difficulty got on board the Dane; but they had not been long there before their own boat, anchored near the ship, broke away and was lost. It then blowing a very hard gale, they were unfortunately left on board the wreck, together with the ship's crew, thirteen men and a boy, and they remained all Monday night, expecting every moment to be swallowed up by the waves, or buried in the sands, About six o'clock on Tuesday morning the ship broke into five parts; but all the persons in her, twenty in number, providentially preserved themselves on the different pieces of the floating wreck, to which they clung for some time. A boat was seen at some distance, by which their signal was observed; she proved to be a Deal boat, which, after much difficulty, picked up the whole, and safely landed them at Dover.

Representations to Government are about to be made by the merchants trading to the Baltic respecting the hosts of privateers in the ports of Norway, which greatly annoy our commerce. Into one port only, since the last three years, no less than 250 British ships have been carried. The whole number of vessels captured, during this period, by the enemy, calls aloud for some decisive measure to protect so valuable a part of our commerce.

Captain Louis, who behaved so gallantly in his ship, the Minotaur, at the Battle of the Nile, has been complimented with the freedom of the city of Exeter, his native place.

The Emperor Paul has addressed a complimentary letter, written in his own hand, to Lord Nelson, accompanying a portrait of his Imperial Majesty of all the Russias, most superbly set in brilliants. This letter, and the flattering present which attended it, were received by the noble Admiral at Palermo. The following trial, in which the character of a naval Officer is implicated, deserves the attention of our readers, that the probability of a repetition may be prevented:

Court of KING'S BENCH, GUILDHALL, June 26.

Sittings before LORD KENYON.

CAPTAIN MILLBURN V. LIEUTENANT WHITAKER.

The plaintiff is captain of a coal vessel, called the Hannah, and the defendant is a lieutenant of the Rose frigate. The plaintiff's vessel in her way to London with a cargo of coals, had several of her men pressed by the Rose frigate on the 5th of May. The men who were pressed had their clothes, and it was agreed by all the parties that Captain Millburn should pay their wages, when he returned home, to their wives. The plaintiff was told, if he wanted men, to hoist a signal of distress, and that they would send him men from the Rose. He hoisted a signal the same day, and on the next morning the defendant came on board, but instead of bringing any men to assist the plaintiff, as he expected, demanded the wages of those men who were pressed; and the wages not being paid, he attempted to carry the Hannah under the stern of the Rose. By the order of Lieutenant Whitaker the men hove the anchor, got her under weigh, and left her in a very dangerous situation. He ordered the main-sail to be cut down, which was inmediately done, and carried away in a boat belonging to the Rose. The defendant also used a great deal of bad language. It was to recover a satisfaction in damages for this injury that the action was brought: it did not appear from the evidence what was the amount of the damages. The jury found a verdict for the plaintiff.-Damages 301.

In consequence of the friendly and humane treatment which the crew of the Neptune lately experienced from the King, or Chief, of Madagascar, a very superb present has been sent him by the merchants at Bengal. The above ship was unfortunately wrecked off the south end of Madagascar in December; when her crew were not only protected and well treated, but sent back to Bengal in a vessel hired by the king for the purpose, with provisions and

presents.

We are extremely sorry to have been informed, that his Majesty's ship Resistance, of 44 guns, one of Admiral Rainier's squadron, in the East Indies, was struck by lightning in the month of March last, and, taking fire immediately, soon blew up. By this dreadful accident the whole of the crew, except five, are said to have perished.

July 4. A deputation from the Watermen's Company went to the Queen's House, with a sturgeon of the enormous weight of 160lb. as a present to his Majesty, according to annual custom.

The following official report of Commodore Sir Sydney Smith to the Ottoman Porte, respecting the siege of the town of Acre, contains a full account of the able proceedings of the British Naval Force in that remote part of the world:

Constantinople, May 23. Buonaparte, after quitting Salahie, employed eight days in crossing the Desert. In this march he lost a great many men and horses by bad provisions and the want of water, as well as by the sword of the Arabs, who never ceased to harrass him. On leaving the Desert he took possession of Darissa, and afterwards of Gaza, Lidda, and Ramle, which was very ill defended by the troops of Ghezzar Pacha. On the 3d of March he was close to Jaffa, which he took by assault on the 7th, after having battered in breach. The Turks made a vigorous resistance, and the French were in a manner obliged to lay siege to every house. The whole garrison were put to the sword; but this assault cost Buonaparte almost 1200 men. On the 17th of March the general entered Caiffe, and on the 18th he invested St. John of Acre. Commodore Sir Sydney Smith left Constantinople on the 19th of

February, arrived at Alexandria on the 3d of March, after stopping some days at Rhodes, and taking on his passage the French gun-boat La Marianne. On the 3d Commodore Trowbridge sailed for Sicily, and Sir Sydney Smith took upon him the chief command of the naval forces. On the 7th Sir Sydney proceeded towards the coast of Syria, and on the 11th arrived before Caiffe. On the 15th he steered for St. John of Acre, to concert with Ghezzar Pacha, having got the start of the French by two days, which he employed in making preparations for the defence of the place. On the 16th, about eight in the evening, after a chace of three hours, the Commodore took off Cape Carmel the whole French flotilla, under the command of Eydoun, Chef de division, laden with heavy cannon, ammunition, platforms, and other articles necessary for Buonaparte's army to undertake the siege. This artillery, consisting of 44 pieces, was immediately mounted on the ramparts of Acre, against the lines and batteries of the enemy, as well as on gun-vessels. The latter were employed with the greatest success against the enemy's flank, and forced them to slacken their fire. The nature of the ground, however, permitted the French to carry their trenches within half a musket shot of the ditch of the place.

On the 14th of April Commodore Smith took a chebec from Damietta, laden with rice, flour, and biscuit, for Buonaparte.

On the 30th of March, the French having formed a breach in the north-east part of the town, endeavoured to take it by assault, but were vigorously repulsed by the garrison with considerable loss. The ditch was filled with dead bodies. The troops of Ghezzar Pacha afterwards made three successful sorties; the object of the last was to destroy a mine, which the enemy had constructed under the covered way to the north-east, in order to fill up the ditch near the old breach. The English took charge of this enterprise; and while 2000 Turks effected the sortie, they jumped into the mine, and finding that the works were not quite finished, tore down the supports, and destroyed the whole construction. The English in this bold attempt lost only Major Oldfield of the Marines, and one private; Lieutenants Wright and Jauverin of the Navy, Mr. Beatty, an officer of the Marines, and twenty-one soldiers, were wounded. After that an uninterrupted fire was kept up from the place, the artillery being served by the English and Turkish artillery-men, who had set out from Constantinople on the 5th of March. The enemy's fire then ceased entirely, as Buonaparte wished to reserve his ammunition for a last effort, which gave no uneasiness to Colonel Philippeau, the chief engineer in the place."

July 8. The week before last there was caught, off the mouth of White; haven harbour, a marine animal rarely met with upon that coast-a sea devil or toad fish of the third class, sine cauda. It is very small, probably young, and the cutis so thin, as to give it occasionally the changeable and beautiful hues of the cameleon, notwithstanding the loathsomeness of its form.

Thomas Ashley, an ingenious wheelwright of Scartho, near Grimsby, whe never assisted in building a ship, or even saw one built, has just finished a vessel at Cleethorps, of about 20 tons measurement, for Mr. Croft, shopkeeper, of that place. The vessel is well proportioned, neatly finished, and built entirely by himself, in little more than seventeen weeks.

The William Pitt, hired cutter, of 14 guns, was captured on the 6th of June, in the Eay of Gibraltar, by a considerable number of Spanish gun-boats.

The fleet which sailed from the Leeward islands the 9th of May, under 4 convoy of his Majesty's ships Vengeance, Pearl, and Perdrix, consisted as follows:-123 sail for London, 93 for Liverpool, 18 for Bristol, 23 for Scotland, 8 for Lancaster, 7 for Ireland, 18 for America, 1 for Africa, and 9 transports, making in all 260. The whole of the vessels for England, Scotland, and Ireland, without exception, are safely arrived.

The Liverpool dock duties, for the year ending 24th of June last, amounted to upwards of 14,200l being nearly 20 ol. more than the produce of the pre-. ceding year.

Hull, July 5. On Tuesday last the Sarah and Elizabeth, Havitt, of this port, arrived from Greenland, with 11 fish, Icco seals, and 300 butts of blubber,