Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp3.djvu/175

“Mercury, off Rovigno, 2nd April, 1809.

“Sir,– The boats of H.M. ship under my command, last night, cut out of the harbour of Rovigno, and from under a very heavy fire of great guns and musketry, la Leda, Venetian gun-boat, carrying one long 24-pounder and six large swivels; another of the same description was lying close to her, and would certainly have been captured also, had not a fog unexpectedly come on, which completely deranged the plan of attack, thereby obliging the boats to tow the vessel out, under the additional fire of five guns on an island, which was to have been stormed by the marines. When the strength and situation of the harbour of Rovigno are considered (the entrance not being more than 100 yards wide); that the gun-boats were moored close to two heavy batteries, and that they were so well prepared as to fire several times before our boats got up; that they had been reinforced that evening by a detachment of soldiers, and had boarding-nettings nearly up to their mast-heads: I do not think more bravery was ever displayed, than by the officers, seamen, and marines employed on this occasion. They were commanded and led on in the most gallant manner by the first lieutenant, Watkin Owen Pell, who received two severe wounds in boarding, and has before lost a leg in the service of his country. Enclosed is a list of the killed and wounded, and the names of the officers employed on this service^[1]. I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed)“Henry Duncan.”

“To Captain William Hoste, H.M.S. Amphion.”

While endeavoring to get though la Leda’s boarding-netting, Lieutenant Pell received the contents of a blunderbuss in his right hand and arm, which were perforated by no less than seven balls. The officers employed under his orders on this occasion were Lieutenant Robert James Gordon; Mr.Richard Hildyard, master; Lieutenant James Whylock, R.M.; Messrs. Stirling, Wilkes, Parker, and Adams, midshipmen; Mr. Robert Williams, assistant surgeon; Mr. George Anderson, captain’s-clerk; and Mr. Jeremiah Crawley, carpenter. The following is a copy of Captain Duncan’s official letter reporting the capture of la Pugliese:–

“Mercury, off Manfredoina, Sept. 8, 1809.

“In obedience to your orders of the 3st ult. to endeavour to take or destroy the enemy’s schooner in the harbour of Barletta, I have the honor to inform you, that we got off the port on the 2d instant; but the weather would not allow of our making the attempt till last night, when she was boarded, and carried in the most gallant style, by the boats of H.M. ship under my command. She proves to be the French schooner of war la Pug-

1. 1 killed, 4 severely wounded.