In December 1805 was the British brig Manly captured by the Dutch navy in the area around Delfzijl. She was taken in Dutch naval service until retaken by the British in 1809. The Manly was a gun brig of the Archer-class, launched at Dudman, Deptford 7 May 1804. Her dimensions were 80'1" x 22'6" x 9'51/2" with a builders measurement of 177 tons and armed with 10-18pdr carronades and 2-12pdr. After being recaptured she was again taken into British naval service. She was captured by Danish brigs off South Norway 2 September 1811 and recaptured two months later. Renamed Bold she was sold 11 August 1814 for £ 940.)(1)
In the Naval Chronicle for 1809 vol XXI page 78-79 is a letter published, written by Charles Gill to W. Pole, dated 10 January 1809. The Manly was recaptured by the brig sloop Onyx (launched at Chapman, Bideford 26 October 1813, sold November 1832, 10 guns, 384 tons builder measurement).
"Sir, I beg leave to inform you, for the information of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that on the morning of the first instant, at daylight, when in lat. 55 deg. 30 min, long 3 deg., we discovered a strange brig on the lee bow, standing to the southward, on which we made the private signal. She immediately showed Dutch colours, and hoved to, as if prepared for battle. We kept our wind until eight o'clock, when, being perfectly ready, we bore down and brought her to close action. The enemy attempted several times to rake us, but, from our superior sailing, we were enabled to foil every attempt. At half past tem she struck her colours, being much cut up in her sails and rigging, and having most of her guns disabled by the superior fire kept up by the Onyx, which, considering the heavy sea, displayed a cool and steady conduct, by far beyond anything I could expect from so young a ship's company, and merits my warmest commendations. She proved to be the Dutch national brig Manly, formerly British, and captured by the Dutch in the river Ems. She mounts twelve eighteen-pounder carronades, and four long brass six-pounders, with a complement of ninety-four men; commanded by captain-lieutenant J.W. Heneyman of the Dutch navy.
I am happy to say our loss is much more trifling that might be expected from so long and close conflict, which can only be accounted for by the very heavy sea running the whole of the time, having only three wounded and the enemy five killed and six wounded.
I feel more pleasure in announcing her capture, as she sailed form the Texel, in company with another brig for the sole purpose of annoying and intercepting our trade with Heligoland. She has made one small capture from Embden, laden with oats, supposed to be for England
I beg leave to recommend to their lordships' notice my first lieutenant, Mr. E.W. Garrett, who is and old and very deserving officer, and to whose advice and assistance I feel much indebted; also Mr. W. Trewren, the second lieutenant, who is a deserving good officer, and to whose zeal and activity the service is much indebted. I cannot pass over in silence the assistance I received from Mr. G.D. Louis, acting master, whose exertions in manoeuvring the brig, so as to completely foil the enemy's schemes to rake, evinced a great display of professional skill, and whose conduct the whole of the time was highly meritorious, as well as that of Mr. Z. Webb, the Purser, who volunteered his services in the direction of the small arm men and marines.
I have the honour to be&c. Charles Gill.
Note
1. J.J. Colledge. Ships of the Royal Navy: an historical index, 1969.
