"...the very spirited and brilliant action..."

[anteros_lmc]

212 years ago today, on the 6th June 1801, Captain Sir Thomas Cochrane took on the Spanish xebec frigate El Gamo in his 14 gun sloop Speedy and made his way into the history books.

The Action and Capture of the Spanish Xebeque Frigate El Gamo by Clarkson Frederick Stanfield

The following account of the action was published in The Naval Chronicle, Vol. 6, Jul-Dec, 1801.

Copy of a letter from Captain Manley Dixon, of his Majest's ship Genereux,
to Evan Nepean, Esq. Secretary of the Admiralty, dated Port Mabon, June.

SIR,
I have the pleasure to transmit a copy of Lord Cochrane's letter relative to the very spirited and brilliant action with a Spanish xebeck frigate.

I have the honour to be, &c.
MANLEY DIXON.

His Majesty's sloop Speedy, off Barcelona, 6th May, Castello fern, N^four miles.

SIR,

I have the pleasure to inform you, that the sloop I have the honour to command, after a mutual chase and warm action, has captured a Spanish xebeck frigate, of 32 guns, twenty two long twelve pounders, eight nines, and two heavy carronades, named the Gamo, commanded by Don Francisco de Torris, manned by 319 naval Officers, -seamen, supernumeraries, and marines. The great disparity of force rendering it necessary to adopt some measure that might prove decisive, I resolved to board, and, with Lieutenant Parker, the Honourable Mr. Cochrane, the boatswain, and crew, boarded, when, by the impetuosity of the attack, we forced them instantly to strike their colours. I have to lament in boarding the loss of one man only; the severel wounds received by Lieutenant Parker, both from musketry and the sword, one wound received by the boatswain, and one seaman. I must be permitted to say there could not be greater regularity nor more cool determined conduct shown by men, than by the crew of the Speedy. Lieutenant Parker, whom I beg leave to recommend to their Lordships' notice, as well as the Honourable Mr. Cochrane, deserve all the approbation that can be bestowed. The exertions and good conduct of the boatswain, carpenter, and petty officers, I acknowledge with pleasure, as well as the skill and attention of Mr. Guthrie the surgeon. I have the honour to be, &c.

M. Dixon, Esq. (Signed) COCHRANE.

List of killed, wounded.
Speedy's force at the commencement of the action.
Fifty-four Officers, men, and boys. Three killed, and eight Wounded.
Fourteen four-pounders (guns).

Gamo's force at the commencement of the action.
274 Officers, seamen, boys, and supernumeraries; forty-fiire marines. Total 319.
Don Francisco de Torris, the boatswain, and thirteen men, killed ?, forty-one wounded.
Thirty-two guns

Comments

[charliecochrane.livejournal.com]

Huzzay, huzzay, huzzay!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Three cheers for Cochrane the Dauntless!

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

I like the letter very much. It is, I know, a kind of form letter, but it gives the information in a sprightly, energetic, and clear way that makes it easy to read.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

I think Cochrane wrote with the same style that he did everything else!

[vespican.livejournal.com]

Of course this seemingly impossible victory is recorded in fiction by Patrick O'Brian as Jack Aubrey/Stephen Maturin of HMS Sophie taking on the Spanish xebec frigate Cacafuego.
Dave

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Which just goes to show that truth really is stranger than fiction!

[stevie-carroll.livejournal.com]

A splendid illustration and account there.

[esteven]

Had I not commented on this?
Oh dear!
*blushes at a so far missed opportunity*

It is true that sometimes truth is even stranger than fiction, esp when even friendship follows that path, knowing that even 28 years later Dundonald would write
Dear Guthrie,

This is the sixth of May, and twenty-eight years have now elapsed since the affair of the Gamo, when we were together in the little Speedy. How many kings have passed; how many acquaintances have departed since that day, leaving scarcely a trace to recall them to mind! I have often however thought of you, though I have not written now for a long time. finishing his letter with
Believe me dear Guthrie
ever most sincerely yours
Dundonald


Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Gah, I will always have a soft spot for them. Thank you for putting up this post.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

My goodness, you did well to spot this post after two months! Im very glad you did though, what a lovely, lovely letter to Dear Guthrie, thank you so much for sharing. They really were particular friends :)

[esteven]

The usual suspect!