d the Preston,
off New York, 17th February 1778.
W. HOTHAM.

"To Lieut. Saumarez, hereby
appointed to command
H.M. galley, the Spitfire.
"By command.
TITUS LEWIS."

Our young hero, who had been far less actively employed than he
wished, had now obtained almost the height of his ambition,--in other
words, a situation where he could have an opportunity of displaying
his talents and intrepidity. He found his new vessel in the king's
yard; and, having taken charge from her former commander, proceeded
to fit out with surprising diligence. On the 23rd February he received
twenty-three seamen from the Preston; and on the 27th a sergeant and
eleven marines completed his complement of thirty-seven men, including
himself and the carpenter; when he immediately weighed and made sail.
It soon after blew a gale, but he succeeded in reaching the Brothers,
where he anchored, and found H.M.S. Sphinx, and some traders: the
next morning he weighed, and falling in with H.M.S. Falcon and
convoy, they proceeded on their voyage. On the 4th of March strong
gales obliged the convoy to put into Huntingdon Bay, where they were
detained by stormy weather till the 13th of March. On the 15th the
convoy reached Oyster-pond Bay, and on the 16th anchored off Fort
Island, in company with the Eagle, Nonsuch, Apollo, Mermaid, Unicorn,
Ariel, Maidstone, Grampus, and Stromboli; and here their active
operations began. On the 28th of March an enemy's frigate was chased
and run on shore in the Narraganset Passage, when Lieutenant Saumarez,
together with the boats of the squadron, went to destroy her, she
being protected by a battery on shore; the Spitfire was anchored about
four hundred yards from this battery in twelve feet water, and, having
got her long-bow gun to bear, engaged it while the boats boarded and
set fire to the frigate: this occupied more than an hour, during
which time the battery was silenced, but a brisk fire of musketry was
kept up by the rebels; and the service being performed, the galley was
towed out with little damage, five men being wounded: at nine she
anchored in safety off Newton's Point. Soon after this a gale came on;
the galley drove towards the rocks, and it was supposed she must be
lost; but Lieutenant Saumarez cut his cable, and by a masterly act of
seamanship saved his vessel, and gained the admiration of the whole
squadron. During this period, Lieutenant Saumarez was under the orders
of Commodore G