Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v1p2.djvu/386

 the protection and direction of Captain Moubray, of his Majesty’s ship Active, whose name I cannot mention without expressing how highly satisfied I am with the able and gallant manner in which he executed my orders to stick to the frigate with which he was more particularly engaged, and to destroy her. Captain Talbot placed his ship admirably well in support of the Pompée, thereby raking the line-of-battle ship and the frigate we were engaged with, when I made his signal to anchor, as the Pompée had previously done, under the directions I gave for that purpose to Captain Dacres, which were promptly and ably executed; Mr. Ives, the Master, applying his local knowledge and experience, as I had a right to expect from his long tried abilities, while Lieutenant Smith made my signals to the squadron in rapid succession, and with precision. Captain Harvey merits my entire approbation, for placing the Standard in the manner in which he did, and for completing the destruction of the others. Much as I must regret the loss of the Ajax, as a most efficient ship in my division, I have felt that loss to be in a great degree balanced, by the presence of my gallant friend, Captain Blackwood, and the surviving officers and men, whose zeal in their voluntary exertions on this occasion, does them the highest credit; in short, all the captains, officers, and men concerned, merit that I should mention them in high terms to you, Sir, as their leader, whose example we humbly endeavoured to follow. The signal success that has attended the general exertion under your direction, speaks more forcibly than words.

“''Vice-Admiral “Sir John Thomas Duckworth, K.B.''”

The Turkish squadron having thus been annihilated, Sir W. Sidney Smith’s division rejoined Vice-Admiral Duckworth, and proceeded with him to the anchorage off Prince’s Islands, about eight miles from Constantinople. While there Sir John obtained information that the enemy had landed a body of troops, and some guns, on the island of Prota, the only inhabitants of which were a few monks and nuns. An attempt was made to dislodge the Turks, many of whom took to their boats, leaving their cannon in possession of the British; but the remainder having thrown themselves into the Greek monastery, and being expert riflemen, defended themselves successfully, killing and wounding 26 of their assailants. On the 1st March, the negociation with the Porte having failed, and knowing that great warlike preparations were going on, Sir John T. Duckworth determined upon returning; the fleet was accordingly got under weigh; and notwithstanding the