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« on: Friday 02 January 15 18:22 GMT (UK) »
I have just been reading a document from the National Archives at Kew (London) SP 105/337. on p.154 the records of the English Factory at Smyrna thank "Captain John Smith of the British Ship Tartar for his exemplary, prudent and spirited behaviour on the 15th past (March) in defeating with great bravery the attempts of a French vessel called the Confiance au Dieu (Captain Beaude) fitted onto clandestinely this fort the night before with 22 guns & near 150 men in order to board and make prize of the Tartar when she attacked within gunshot of St. Giacomo's Fort on the entrance to the bay, when after an engagement of near half an hour a shot from the Tartar set fire to the powder room which blew up part of the ship, & occasioned her being entirely burned & 47 persons were sent to the French Hospital in a most shocking condition, few of whom are likely to recover, 22 only escaping unhurt, the remainder having perished in the course of the action & by the explosion. And as Captain Smith's conduct and that of his company, consisting only of 19 men, cannot be sufficiently commended . . ." I see nothing about a" presentation of cups."