#larethuse

When the hands were turned up to muster, the number of killed amounted to nine, and wounded to thirteen. When this was made known, there seemed to be a general smile of congratulation at the number fallen, rather than of their regret for their loss. The vanity of the officers seemed tickled at the disproportionate slaughter in a frigate of our size, as compared to what they had heard the ships of the line had suffered.

— Frederick Marryat, The Naval Officer (Frank Mildmay)

Engagement between His Majesty’s Ship Amelia… and L’ Arethuse French Frigate… off the Isles of Loss, on the Coast of Africa… 7 February 1813, 1817 print.