liese-, launched at Barletta about three months ago, pierced for 10 guns, had on board 3 six-pounders and 2 eighteens, commanded hy an enseigne de vaisseau, with a complement of 50 men, but had only 31 on board, who were so prepared for the attack, as to be able to fire on our boats before they got alongside.
“It gives me most sincere pleasure to add, that this service has been performed without a man being hurt on our side; and as, besides her own means of defence, she was moored with eight cables inside, and almost touching a mule lined with musketry, and within musket-shot of a castle mounting 8 guns, and of two armed feluccas, from under which fire she was towed without rudder or sails, I must principally attribute this good fortune to the judicious and prompt manner in which the attack was made> which strongly marks the judgment and gallantry of the first Lieutenant, Pell, who directed it. He speaks in the highest terms of the assistance he received from the second Lieutenant, Gordon, Lieutenant Whylock, R.M., Mr. Sandell the gunner, and Mr. Anderson, captains-clerk, each of whom commanded a boat; and of the excellent good conduct of the other officers, seamen, and marines, employed under him. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed)“Hy. Duncan.”
“To Captain Hargood, H.M.S. Northumberland.”
In Aug. 1809, the Patriotic Society voted Lieutenant Pell 80l. for the purchase of a sword; and he was subsequently presented with another by Captain Duncan, through whose generous and unremitting exertions in his behalf, he obtained the rank of Commander, Mar. 29, 1810.
From Nov. 11, 1810, until. Dec. 5, 1811, we find Captain Pell commanding the Thunder bomb, and actively employed in the defence of Cadiz. At the latter period he was detached, in company with the Stately 64, Druid frigate, and several gunboats, to co-operate with the garrison of Tariffa, then besieged by 10,000 French troops, under Marshal Victor[1]. After contributing to the safety of that place, he resumed his former station before fort Catalina; and continued to protect Isla de Leon, until the whole of the enemy’s works were abandoned, in Aug. 1812[2].
The Thunder was next employed on the coast of Valencia, from whence she returned home in Sept. 1813. On the 9th of the ensuing month, Captain Pell reported the capture of
