island of Ischia under cover of H.M. ships Warrior and Success[1], H.S.M, sloop Leone, and several gun-boats, without the loss of a man, and the whole taken possession of, except a strong insulated castle, off the S.E. part if the island, which did not surrender till the 1st instant, after batteries had been erected and opened against it. The island of Procida capitulated on the evening of the 25th; and that night I received information that a flotilla of gun-boats, &c. was coining from Gaeta along shore; in consequence of which, the few gun-boats near us were detached in that direction; and at day-light on the 26th, the flotilla, consisting of forty-seven sail, was seen, and a signal made to the Cyane to prevent the gun-boats from entering the bay of Naples. Captain Staines executed that service with the same ability and judgment which he has shewn upon every other occasion; and by turning the enemy, and preventing them getting round the point of Baiae, they were brought to action by our gun-boats, supported by the Cyane and Espoir. Eighteen of them were taken and four destroyed. No language, which I am master of, can convey to your Lordship an adequate idea of the gallantry, judgment, and good conduct displayed by Captain Staines * * * * * *.”
We must now, for a moment, lay down Rear-Admiral Martin’s letter, in order to describe the Cyane’s proceedings more clearly and fully than it does; likewise to correct an error or two therein.
Captain Staines appears to have commenced active operations against the enemy, on the 24th June, by driving twelve gun-boats, each mounting a long 24-pounder, into the bay of Pozzuoli. In the course of the same day and the ensuing night, his boats cut out two polacre ships from under different batteries, and one of them was found to contain a detachment of troops, intended to reinforce the garrison of Procida.
On the morning of the 25th, a frigate of 42 guns and 350 men, a corvette of 28 guns and 260 men, the above-mentioned division of gun-boats, and eight others of the same description, came out of Pozzuoli bay, apparently with the intention of forcing their way to Naples. This formidable force, however, was intimidated by the daring manoeuvres of the Anglo-Sicilian detachment, and returned to its anchorage after a mutual cannonade of about one hour and a quarter, during which the Cyane sustained no loss, and but very little damage.
