Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp2.djvu/13

  “H.M.S. Milford, Palermo Bay, May 27. 1812.

“Sir,– In acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 14th inst., relative to the capture of the 28 vessels at Sapri, I have much pleasure in conveying my sentiments of the zeal hy which yourself and Captain Nicolas have been actuated, as well as the officers and men belonging to the Thames and Pilot. I am, &c.

(Signed)“.”

“To Captain Napier, H.M.S. Thames.”

The capture of the island of Ponza, executed in a most masterly manner under the direction of Captain Napier, assisted by Captain William Mounsey, of the Furieuse frigate, is thus described by him, in a letter to Sir Robert Laurie, Bart, dated Feb. 27, 1813:

“Agreeable to your directions, I embarked Lieutenant-Colonel Coffin, and the second battalion of the 10th regiment, on the 16th instant, and arrived off Ponza on the 23rd, the harbour of which is about a quarter of a mile wide, with a mole at the extreme end of it, defended by four batteries and a tower, mounting ten 24 and 18-pounders, two 12-pounders, and two 9-inch mortars.

“Colonel Coffin and myself agreed, that the shortest and the surest road to success was, by running both ships into the mole, and carrying the place by assault; but the weather was unfavourable for such an attack until the morning of the 26th, when the ships: bore up in close order with a fine breeze. The enemy were prepared for our reception, and opened their fire nearly half an hour before our guns could bear: the batteries were, however, passed with little injury, the ships engaging on both sides, and the Thames was anchored across the mole-head, the Furieuse bringing up a little astern of her. Colonel Coffin and the troops landed the same instant, and pushed for the height near a strong tower, into which the enemy had retreated, and their appearance, together with the severe fire from the ships, induced the governor to hoist a flag of truce, and agree to the proposed capitulation. I have much pleasure in informing you, that this service has been performed without the loss of a man in either profession: our being hulled three times, and the Furieuse twice, with sails and rigging a good deal cut, is the only damage sustained. The most perfect cordiality has subsisted between the two services; and I am much indebted to Captain Mounsey for the excellent support he gave, and his quickness in following my motions. If the resistance had been greater,