Proselyte

An old twenty-eight-gun frigate, called the "Proselyte," was specially fitted up as a floating battery, and, with the rest of the fleet, taken round to Bastia roads.

Under the Meteor Flag Log of a Midshipman during the French Revolutionary War Harry Collingwood 1886

A terrific concussion, a dull heavy roar, and the poor old "Proselyte" was rent to pieces, as a broad sheet of flame flashed up from her hull skyward.

Under the Meteor Flag Log of a Midshipman during the French Revolutionary War Harry Collingwood 1886

The action had been in progress but a short time, when we observed that the "Proselyte" was swinging round; and on looking at her more attentively, with the aid of our telescopes, we discovered that some of her moorings had been shot away.

Under the Meteor Flag Log of a Midshipman during the French Revolutionary War Harry Collingwood 1886

Looking round me, I soon had the satisfaction of discovering the gallant commander of the ill-fated "Proselyte," clinging to the keel of our boat, which was floating bottom-up at no great distance from me.

Under the Meteor Flag Log of a Midshipman during the French Revolutionary War Harry Collingwood 1886

The French replied with the utmost spirit, their guns being admirably served, especially those which played upon the "Proselyte;" and it soon became evident that that unfortunate craft was getting decidedly the worst of it.

Under the Meteor Flag Log of a Midshipman during the French Revolutionary War Harry Collingwood 1886

The evening of the 10th, however, saw our preparations completed; and on the morning of the 11th the "Proselyte" was moved inshore and moored in a convenient position for battering the seaward defences of the town.

Under the Meteor Flag Log of a Midshipman during the French Revolutionary War Harry Collingwood 1886

The attack immediately afterwards commenced; the "Proselyte" and the shore batteries opening fire simultaneously.

Under the Meteor Flag Log of a Midshipman during the French Revolutionary War Harry Collingwood 1886

In another moment the boatswain's shrill pipe was sounding throughout the ship; the boats, which were hanging at the boom, were brought alongside, manned, placed in charge of a midshipman to each boat, and despatched with all speed to the assistance of the unlucky "Proselyte," from which, by this time, dense clouds of dark smoke were issuing.

Under the Meteor Flag Log of a Midshipman during the French Revolutionary War Harry Collingwood 1886

Alexander Scheiber, “The Origins of ‘Obadyah, the Norman Proselyte,’” Journal of Jewish Studies 5 1954: 32–37.

Bloodlust Russell Jacoby 2011

Alexander Scheiber, “The Origins of ‘Obadyah, the Norman Proselyte,’” Journal of Jewish Studies 5 1954: 32–37.

Bloodlust Russell Jacoby 2011