Note 16 — Chapter I · MY BOYHOOD, AND ENTRANCE INTO THE NAVY.
Reading edition
One action of my maternal grandfather is worthy of record. On March 28th, 1758, upwards of a century ago, he commanded the Southampton, 32, and when in company with the Melampe, 24, Captain Hotham, fell in with two French frigates off Yarmouth. The Melampe, being the faster sailer, came up first, and was so disabled that she fell astern before the Southampton got within range. On the Melampe falling off, one of the frigates made sail, and got away. The Southampton then engaged the other, and after a six hours’ contest, carried on with equal bravery on both sides, she boarded and captured the Danaë, of 40 guns and 340 men, commanded by one of the bravest officers in the French navy.
The loss of the Danaë was her first and second captains, and eighty men killed. The Southampton had only one killed and ten wounded; amongst whom was my grandfather, whose shoulder was shattered by a grape-shot.