Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p1.djvu/489

  two vessels laden with wine, from Tarento bound to Corfu.

In Jan. 1813, the boats of the Bacchante cut off a division of the enemy’s flotilla ; and six vessels laden with grain and sundries. In the following month she captured two gunboats and eight sail of merchantmen: one of the former was carrying despatches from Corfu, and had on board a French General of Artillery and his suite, going to Otranto.

On the 11th May, Captain Hoste having received information that a number of vessels were lying in the channel of Karlebago, proceeded towards that place without loss of time; but, from contrary winds, and a strong current, did not arrive there till the morning of the 15th. The object of his visit had in the mean time escaped. Finding, however, that the port afforded excellent shelter to the enemy’s convoys, he determined to destroy the works which defended it, and accordingly brought up within pistol-shot of the batteries. After a good deal of firing, a flag of truce was hung out, and the place surrendered at discretion. A detachment of seamen and marines then landed, under the directions of Lieutenant Hood, blew up the castle, destroyed all the public works, and brought off two 12-pounders, 4 nines, and 2 brass sixes. In the execution of this service, the Bacchante had 4 men severely wounded. The particulars of a very gallant exploit performed by her boats on the coast of Abruzza, in the following month, will appear in our memoir of the officer who commanded them on that occasion.

Captain Hoste served on shore at the capture of Fiume, by, the squadron under Rear-Admiral Freemantle, July 3, 1813 ; and two days afterwards landed at Porto Re with a party of marines, blew up the forts which had previously been abandoned by the enemy, rendered the guns useless, and destroyed their carriages. On the 2d of the ensuing month, after assisting in silencing the batteries at Rovigno, he disembarked at the head of a detachment of seamen and marines from the Eagle and Bacchante, drove the French troops out of the