APPENDIX I. EXTRACT FROM THE GAZETTE OF MAY 18, 1811. Copy of a letter from Admiral Sir Charles Cotton, Baronet, Commander-in-chief of his Majesty's ships and vessels in the Mediterranean, to John Wilson Croker, Esq. dated on board the San Josef, at sea, April 17th, 1811. ALTHOUGH the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty will be earlier acquainted, through the medium of Rear Admiral Boyes, with the gallant action fought on the 13th ult. by his Majesty's ships named in the margin, (Amphion, Cerberus, Active, Volage,) against a squadron of the enemy, consisting of five in number, one corvette, a brig, two schooners, and a xebec, and one gun-boat, which terminated in the capture of two of the enemy's frigates, and the destruction of another, I nevertheless think it right to transmit the account of the brilliant affair to their Lordships. The event speaking for itself, I shall briefly remark that the success of his Majesty's squadron has been no other than could be expected from ships in the high order and state of discipline of those in question, and led on by an officer of the reputation of Captain Hoste. I have sent orders to Captain Hoste, with the Amphion and Volage, which appear to have suffered a great deal, and to have been in this country the longest, to take the prizes to Spithead. (Signed) C. COTTON. SIR, Magnificent off Lissa, March 24th, 1811. It is with the greatest satisfaction I herewith transmit a letter I have received from Captain Hoste, giving an account of a most gallant action, which has been fought in the Adriatic between a detachment of frigates, named in the margin, under his command, and the enemy's squadron from Ancona; the result of which is, that two of the enemy's frigates have been captured, and one destroyed: the remainder owing their escape to the crippled state of the masts and rigging of his Majesty's ships. When the great disparity of force in this action is considered, the smoothness of the water, which enabled the enemy's small craft to take a part, and from his being to windward, enabled to choose his own plan of attack, I think, Sir, the bravery, discipline, and professional knowledge of British seamen, never was more conspicuous. I received by a neutral vessel, when off Corfu, a few lines from Captain Hoste, written immediately after the action, which mentioned that the ships which had escaped had taken refuge in the island of Lessina in a very disabled state, and where he thought they might be destroyed: I therefore immediately proceeded thither in the Magnificent, but found on my arrival that they had sailed, and gone to Ragusa. (Signed) GEORGE EYRE. |