Master and Commander (Aubrey & Maturin, #1)

by Patrick O'Brian

Question: Did she gain on the Sophie without her studdingsails set? Answer: Yes. Question by the court: Did they seem to sail much faster than you? Answer: Yes, both by and large. Dr Maturin, surgeon of the Sophie, called and sworn. Question by the court: Is the statement you heard made by your captain respecting the loss of the Sophie, correct as far as your observation went? Answer: I think it is. Question by the court: Are you a sufficient judge of nautical affairs to know whether every effort was used to escape from the force that was pursuing the Sophie? Answer: I know very little of nautical affairs, but it appeared to me that every exertion was used by every person on board: I saw the captain at the helm, and the officers and ship’s company at the sweeps. Question by the court: Was you on deck at the time the colours were struck and what distance were the enemy from you at the time of her surrender? Answer: I was on deck, and the Desaix was within musket-shot of the Sophie and was firing at us at the time.

James Guthrie’s record from the loss of the Speedy