On This Day 17 October

On 17 October 1807 the British brig Superieure encountered the French schooner privateer Jopo L'Oeil about 120 leagues east of Barbados. The sanguinary engagement between the two vessels lasted an hour and a quarter, with Captain John Buller of Superieure being killed instantly by a musket ball to the head while attempting to board the privateer early in the fight. Lieutenant John G. Bird took command and continued the fight until the privateer surrendered. Superieure carried a crew of 70 and was armed with eight 18-pounder carronades and two 12-pounder chase guns. Jopo L'Oeil had a crew of 95 men and was pierced for 14 guns but carried only six 18-pounders, plus another one on a traveling carriage. She was 32 days out of Pointe-à-Pitre Guadeloupe and had made no captures. Bird described Jopo L'Oeil as "a remarkable fine Vessel". In the fight the British lost four men killed, including Buller, and eight men wounded; the French lost five killed and 19 wounded. The British brig Hawke was in sight during the engagement but was unable to close until after the fight was over. The British took the privateer into service as HMS Dominica.