POST-CAPTAINS OF 1810.
153
when he volunteered to superintend the landing of a light corps, about 550 strong, embarked at Rodriguez, and conveyed by la Nereide to the Riviere des Pluies, for the purpose of assisting at the reduction of Bourbon, a service thus described by Captain Josias Rowley, in an official letter to Vice-Admiral Bertie:–
“H.M.S. Boadicea, road of St. Denis, Isle Bourbon, July 11, 1810.
“Sir,– I feel much satisfaction in announcing to you the surrender of Isle Bourbon to his Majesty’s arms.
“According to the communication I had the honor to make to you on the 14th ult., I proceeded to the Isle of Rodriguez, where, having joined the transports from India, and, in concert with Lieutenant-Colonel Keating, made the necessary arrangements relative to the troops, and embarked on board the Boadicea and Nereide as many as they could stow, we proceeded to join the ships of the squadron which I had left off the Isle of France, under the orders of Captain Pym, blockading the three frigates of the enemy then in port, having previously detached a light transport to apprise them of our sailing. We joined them at the appointed rendezvous, between the isles of France and Bourbon, on the 6th; and having embarked on board the frigates, the remainder of the European and part of the native troops, made all sail in the evening towards the points of attack, it being intended to push on shore the greatest part of our force with all possible celerity, for which purpose each ship was provided with additional boats taken from the transports. While the main force drew the attention of the enemy off St. Marie, about two leagues to the eastward of St. Denis, Captain Pym, with his usual skill and activity, effected a landing about 2 P.M., on the 7th, from the Sinus, of all the troops embarked on board of her, at a part of the beach called Grande Chaloupe, six miles to the westward of the town, where the enemy were totally unprepared for an attack. The Riviere des Pluies, about three miles to the east of St. Denis, was intended for the other point of descent. The remaining frigates, when it was supposed the first landing was secured, immediately pushed for anchorage, and were followed by the transports as they arrived: the weather, which till now had been favorable, began to change: the beach on this side of the island being steep, and composed of large shingles, is generally of difficult access; but it was supposed on reconnoitring it, that the landing was practicable; and Captain Willoughby, who undertook to superintend it, pushed off in a small prize schooner, captured by the Nereide, with a party of seamen and a detachment of light troops” (under Lieutenant-Colonels Macleod and Campbell), “and, with some of the boats which followed, effected a partial landing; but the surf still increasing, several were stove on the beach: it being, however, considered by Lieutenant-Colonel Keating of much importance to effect the landing at this point, a light transport was placed with great judgment by Lieu-