been for the last three days lying under the protection of a strong fort and two batteries; and the wind yesterday evening proving favourable, she was boarded by Lieutenant Watts in the cutter, under a severe fire of musketry from between 30 and 40 soldiers, sent to assist in her defence; and he had nearly cleared her deck when the other two boats, which did not row so well, arrived, and fully accomplished the business.
“Her cables were now cut, and the boats took her in tow, the enemy having had the precaution to send her sails and rudder on shore, when a hawser, fast under water a-stern, was manned in the fort, and the vessel dragged nearly under the muzzles of the guns before it could be cut; upon which an exceeding heavy fire from all the batteries was commenced, and continued until she was out of sight.
“She proves to be the San Pedro, Spanish packet, having a cargo of bale goods, &c. from Cadiz, bound to Buenos Ayres.
“This was effected with the loss of one man killed and five wounded. Mr. Watts has several wounds, but none of them dangerous; and I feel convinced his gallant conduct, with the exertions of every officer and man employed on this service, will meet your approbation.
“Twenty-one of the enemy’s troops were made prisoners, 18 of whom are wounded; the rest, excepting a few who swam to the shore, were killed, as was her captain and some of her crew. She had captured, since her departure from Cadiz, the Lord Keith, bound from London to Mogadore. H.M. ship has taken and destroyed, since the 1st instant, the St. Francisco Spanish lugger, with wheat and salt; and La Louisa schooner, in ballast; the latter perfectly new.”
There are few instances upon record of a more remarkable escape from imminent peril than what befel Lieutenant Watts on this occasion. The enemy’s late disaster, joined to the daily appearance of the Comus off the harbour’s mouth, had excited his utmost vigilance, and the felucca, in addition to her natural means of defence, was moored with three cables a-head and a-stern, close to the fort, and still further secured, as is stated in Captain Shipley’s letter, by a hawser under water. She mounted 6 guns, and had on board at least 65 men, including about 40 select soldiers sent from the garrison to assist in defending her. The attacking force consisted of 40 officers, sailors, and marines, in three boats, two of which, on pulling into the harbour, were momentarily detached to observe some suspicious vessels, supposed to be gun-boats, and before they could be recalled, the cutter, commanded by Lieutenant Watts in person, was discovered and repeatedly hailed by the enemy. Instant attack or immediate retreat were
