ports separated from the ships of war, and under the protection of an armed store-ship, two bombards, and a xebec, made for the bay of Rosas. When the ships of war were disposed of, as related in my letter of yesterday, the transports and their escort became the object of my attention; and on the 29th, the Apollo was sent off Rosas, to examine what vessels were there, and how far they were in a situation assailable.
“The next day I appointed the ships and brigs as per margin[1] for this service, under the orders of Captain Hallowell, to bring them out if the wind was favourable, or otherwise to destroy them. The state of the wind and sea would not permit this operation until last night; when, after dark, the detachment bore up for the bay, and anchored about five miles from the castle of Rosas; under the protection of which work, of Trinity fort, and of several other newly-erected batteries, the convoy, consisting of 11 vessels, 5 of them armed, were moored.
“The boats being arranged in separate divisions, the whole were put under the orders of Lieutenant Tailour, first of the Tigre, and proceeded to the attack of the enemy; who, although he could have had no previous intimation of such an enterprise against him, was found vigilant, and completely on his guard. The ship, which was a smaller sort of frigate, was enclosed in boarding-nettings, and a gun-boat advanced a-head of her for the look-out. On being hailed, and the alarm gun fired, our boats stretched out, the crews at the highest pitch of animation, filling the air with their cheers; each division took the part previously allotted to it: the armed ship was boarded at all points, and carried in a few minutes, notwithstanding the spirited and sturdy resistance which the enemy made; all their armed vessels were well defended, but the British seamen and marines, determined to subdue them, were not to be repelled, even by a force found to be double that which was expected; and, besides the opposition made by the vessels, the guns from the castle, the forts in the bay, the gun-boats and musketry from the beach, kept a constant fire on them. On the opening of day, every ship and vessel was either burnt or brought off, aided by the light winds which then came from the land.
“I cannot conclude this narrative without an expression of the sentiment which the execution of this bold enterprise has inspired me with, and the respect and admiration I feel for those who performed it.”
“In the first place, success greatly depended upon the previous arrangement which was made by Captain Hallowell, with a judgment and foresight that distinguishes that officer in every service he is employed on; the division of the boats, the preparation of fire materials, and providing them with every- ↑ Tigre; Cumberland 74, Captain Hon. Philip Wodehouse; Volontaire 38, Captain Charles Bullen; Apollo 38, Captain Bridges Watkinson Taylor; Topaze 36, Captain Henry Hope; Philomel 18, Captain George Crawley; Scout 18, Captain William Raitt; and Tuscan 16, Captain John Wilson.
