uler of France. The projected invasion was now
impossible; and, consequently, the force which had been requisite for
the station Sir James occupied, was no longer necessary. The Diomede,
of fifty guns, and several other vessels, were withdrawn, and Sir
James shifted his flag to the Inconstant. The year 1805 terminated
without any other remarkable occurrence.

During the year 1806 the enemy's convoys were proceeding in a westerly
direction; the victualling the French fleet at Brest, which had
considerably increased, being the principal object, the squadron under
Sir James was actively employed in intercepting these convoys. On the
9th of September the Constance, Captain Burrowes, fell in with Le
Salamandre, French frigate store-ship, of twenty-six guns; and,
assisted by the Strenuous and Sharpshooter, drove her on shore under a
battery; and, believing her destroyed, returned to Jersey. It was,
however, ascertained that she was floated off; and, returning to St.
Maloes, repaired her damages. On the 12th of October, when again
attempting to make her passage, she was attacked by the Constance,
Sheldrake, and Strenuous, and having taken shelter under the fort of
Equi, in the Bay of Brehat, the engagement, in which the gallant
Captain Burrowes was killed, became severe. Le Salamandre, after
running on shore, was compelled to strike, and was taken: but the
wind began to blow hard directly on the land; the Constance parted
her cables, which had been damaged by the shot from the batteries, and
drove on shore. It became therefore necessary, after taking out the
men, to burn both the Constance and the prize. In this affair ten men
were killed, and twenty-three wounded, exclusive of thirty-six men
made prisoners in the unsuccessful attempt to save the Constance. The
captain (M. Saloman) of the Salamandre and twenty-nine men were
killed; but of the wounded there is no account, excepting of nine, who
were among the prisoners taken on board the Sheldrake. Captain
Thicknesse, of that sloop, was made post-captain on this occasion.

Nothing else worthy remark, connected with the subject of this memoir,
happened during the year 1806: and Sir James had now enjoyed the
society of his family and friends at his native island for three
years; during which time his mind was not only actively employed in
the performance of his duty as commander-in-chief on this important
station, and in rendering his native island more capable of defence,
but