To Captain Saumarez, R.N.

The Crescent having been reported ready for sea on the 1st of March,
Captain Saumarez received orders to proceed to Guernsey with his ship,
accompanied by the Liberty brig, and three transports under convoy, to
reinforce the garrisons of the Channel islands. He had also sealed
orders, which were to be put in execution when the troops were landed
at Guernsey and Jersey. The following account of this cruise was sent
to his brother, on the ship's return to Guernsey Road.

H.M.S. Crescent, Guernsey, 18th March 1793.

MY DEAR RICHARD,

As the detail of our proceedings on our first cruise cannot but
be acceptable to you, I take up my pen to communicate them. We
anchored in this road on Sunday morning, the day after we had
sailed from Spithead. The independent companies and invalids for
this island were immediately disembarked. The wind being too
much to the southward for the transports to proceed to Jersey,
they remained till Thursday following, when I sent them under
convoy of the Liberty brig.

On Thursday morning, intelligence was brought to me that a
French brig was seen to the northward of the island, standing
for the Casketts. I immediately got under way, and directed the
Drake to do the same. We pushed through the Race of Alderney
during the night, and at day-break found ourselves close to the
brig, off Cherbourg. She is about 100 tons, from Vannes, loaded
with salt, for Havre. Seeing another brig and a galliot to the
N.W. from us, I ordered the Drake and Cockatrice to chase, and I
have hopes they are also prizes.

About three o'clock, it blowing very hard, I was much surprised
at an express joining me from Alderney, with a letter from the
governor, addressed to the commander of H.M. ships off
Alderney, mentioning that he had positive information that the
enemy meant to attack the island this or the following night;
and as there was no ship of force at Cherbourg but an old 64,
with frigate's masts, he was certain that the appearance of a
man-of-war off Cherbourg would preserve Alderney, and baffle the
expedition. Chance having thrown me off Cherbourg, within sight
the whole day, I was happy the purport of this letter was so
fully answered. Expecting further intelligence, I waited till a
cutter hailed us that he was going express to Plymouth. No other
vessel appearing, I made sail for t