November 10th., 1808.

This action was fought near L'Orient, between the HMS Amethyst, thirty-eight, Captain M. Seymour, and the French frigate La Thetis, of about equal force, but superior in the number of her crew, and having besides a body of one hundred soldiers on board. The engagement began about nine at night, and soon after eleven the Thetis made a desperate but unsuccessful attempt to board the HMS Amethyst. After great slaughter, the French frigate was boarded and taken, being much shattered and entirely dismasted. The captain of the Thetis, and one hundred and thirty-four of her men were killed, and one hundred and two wounded, including all her officers except three. The HMS "Amethyst" suffered severely, Lieutenant Kendal, of the Marines, and eighteen men being killed, and fifty-one wounded. Her mizen mast was shot away, her other masts much injured, and she had three and a half feet water in her hold. Just as the action ended, the HMS Triumph, seventy-four. Captain T. M. Hardy, and the HMS Shannon, Captain Broke, came up, and the latter ship, taking the prize in tow, brought her into Plymouth. For this action Captain Seymour received the honour of knighthood, and a sword valued at one hundred guineas from the Patriotic Fund. In the following year he was created a Baronet.