Enclosure.
“Sir,– On our closing with the schooner, which had warped among the rocks, under a two-gun battery, flanked by two heavy batteries nearer Basse Terre, I sent our boats with one from the Unique, the whole under the command of Lieutenant Fellowes of that brig, with directions to land and storm the battery.
“Before they got on shore, a troop of cavalry, some infantry, and an immense number of militia had collected in the fort; and notwithstanding our people had to climb up a very steep precipice, with musketry annoying them from every point, they charged and drove the enemy from their guns, spiking them, killing several men, and bringing away their arms and colours. Lieutenant Fellowes then formed his men and retreated to the boats; but finding the schooner so fast amongst the rocks that it was impossible to move her, and the fire of musketry from the bushes striking the boats every instant, he very properly left her and returned on board. The loss on our part is one officer” (a midshipman of the Julia) “killed, whom Lieutenant Fellowes speaks very highly of, and seven men wounded; our damage is some shot in the hulls, sails, and rigging, and four guns dismounted. I cannot say too much in praise of the coolness and determination of every officer and man on this occasion. Lieutenant Fellowes’ conduct speaks for itself; we did not fire from the brigs till the enemy’s musketry went through our hammocks. I have the honor to be, &c.
The official report made by Captain Dowers applies only to the severely wounded: – the Unique’s boat, being completely riddled, sunk under Lieutenant Fellowes; one musket-ball passed through the crown of his hat, another struck the pike in his hand, and his jacket was shot through in two places; yet, strange to say, he was the only person of the party that escaped unhurt.
Previous to this affair, the Unique had been very much weakened by the almost daily firing of her guns at the enemy’s land batteries; and as she was now become very leaky, the senior officer of the blockading squadron resolved, although possessed of very inadequate means, to convert her into a fire-vessel, for the purpose of acting against two French frigates lying at Basse Terre.
- ↑ Captain Dowers, eldest son of Purser Dowers, Esq. a retired commander, obtained post rank Sept. 24th, 1814, and died at Antigua, Dec. 26th, 1816. He was considered a most active gallant officer, and his premature loss deeply lamented by a large circle of friends.
