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mnBKte A flttt Ann iaIn our last we mentioned the sailing of four nationalveueb of war on Friday night. It appears that theywere perceived by the blockading squadron, which, thewith the exception of the frigates atad one brig, immediately gave them chaoe. The national brig, Republics, unfortunately took the ground at a quarter before twelve o'clock, about seven miles below Ensenada, owing to the man in the chains giving a false depth of water—viz. calling out four fathoms, when, in fact, there was considerably less. Almost at the same time the Independence grounded. In this situation they remained all night, after having made many fruitlessattempts to get off. On Saturday morning thpy wereattacked by the Brasilian squadron, which had, by this time, been joined by the frigates. Admiral Broom made a signal to the Congress to run into Ensenada, but before it could be effected, she engaged a corvette and two brigs, and idiot away the foretopmast of the former. The schooner, Sarandi, which tall now had remained near the Republics and Independencia, went out with Admiral Brown on board to engage the enemy, and by this means drew off a great deal of their fire from the Teasels aground. Very little damage was sustained by die firing on this day. Admiral Brown was slightly grounded in the side by a spent grape-shot. A Brasilian brig got aground, upon which the Independencia and Republics lowered boats to board her, 'which approached so near that some of her musquetry struck them— S ball going through Captain Grenville s hat. The brig, which is supposed to have been the Independencia, got afloat again by throwing her guns and shot overboard.On Sunday morning the fight was renewed with fresh vigour; but what could three small vessels doigsinst 22 of superior force ? The Independencia alone fired 3,400 shots. But she lay very much exposed to the fire of the Brasilians, so much so that the frigate Emperatri* anchored with springs upon her cables within grape-shot range of her. Early in the afternoon she had from 70 to 80 killed and wounded. She was destitute of ammunition, and had shot-holes through and through her. Captain Drummond and Shannon went on board the Sarandi to acquaint the Admiral with the brig’s condition; and whilst walking upon the quarter* deck a 24 lb. shot struck Captain Drummond just above the hip. He lived for three hours after, and was sensible. Almost the last words he uttered were “ Tell the Admiral I hope I have done my duty, and die as a man ought to die.” Late in the afternoon the Bra* jzilian brig Oatdoeo anchored near the Independencia, wd made prisoners of the surviving gfew, perhaps 40 or 60 men. The Independence ft is said, must ine*vitahlygoto pieces. The Republics was burnt by theirrno cdiown crew, who got on hoard , the Sarandi. Our loss was principally on board the Independencia. The Republics had only one killed and ten wounded. Captain Grenville, we regret to state, has lost his left arm. The Congress had no one killed or wounded. The Sarandi, we understand, has suffered but a trifling loss.On Sunday night Admiral Brown sent a boat to the Congress, ordering her to come out of that port, join him, and proceed to Buenos Ayres. The Brazilians attempted to interrupt them, but were soon convinced of the impossibility of effecting their design. The Con. gross and Sarandi arrived here on Monday morning.Considerable blame is imputed to the Marine department for want of activity in sending gun-boats to Admiral Brown’s assistance. We are informed, that upwards of 100 foreigners volunteered to go in them on Saturday night, and that they were told by the commissary to come next day. Six or eight gun-boats would have been of great service to Brown on Sunday; thereis good reason to believe that the brigs would have beensaved with their aid. We trust that government will inquire into the affair, fur it is certainly grieving to think, that so many valuable lives have been lost through negligence.
Newspaper Details
A Brief Relation
London, Middlesex, GB
Thu, Aug 02, 1827
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Marisa V.
AR 01 Jul 2023
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