the other privateers. Each of them to be provided with coils of rope, for the purpose of being laid out as warps to the gun-boat.”
It was about nine o’clock in the evening of April 29, 1812, when the volunteers for this desperate service left their respective vessels, and proceeded towards the shore. On arriving within a mile of the town, their intrepid leader informed Captain Lilburne that it was his intention to attack the molehead batteries previous to the body of boats coming up; that he considered the success of the enterprise would mainly depend upon the result of his attack, and that the gun-vessel and Lieutenant Keenan’s division were therefore not to advance until a signal was made by him for that purpose. Having directed Lieutenant Spilsbury to proceed according to the plan of attack, Captain Ussher then dashed on in company with Lieutenant Hastings, effected a landing amongst the rocks outside the mole-head, and, although fired at before the scaling ladders could be placed, obtained complete possession of the principal battery in less than five minutes after he touched the shore. A rocket was immediately let off, the gun-boat and her companions advanced in fine style, and the whole of the privateers were most gallantly boarded and carried[1].
So far every thing answered Captain Ussher’s most sanguine expectations ; and the guns of the battery being turned by his directions upon the castle of Gibralfaro, kept the enemy’s garrison in check until all the powder he could find was expended; when he caused them to be spiked, and rowed up the harbour to give such directions as might be necessary for bringing out the prizes. The moon now rising with uncommon brightness, shewed the position of the contending parties: the gun-boat, having a privateer in tow, was warmly engaged with the 57th regiment of French troops, who had come down from the castle to attack the captured bat-
- ↑ The Braave appears to have been attacked by the Hyacinth’s cutter, under the command of Mr. Pierce, midshipman, Captain Lilburne having passed her and pushed in amongst the main body of the privateers. Barbastro and most of his crew escaped by jumping overboard; but 33 prisoners were secured by only 13 English.
