POST-CAPTAINS OF 1814.
337
to keep military possession of his last conquest; for which purpose the marines of the Saracen and Wizard (brig) were placed in the castle as a garrison, under the command of Lieutenant Holmes. A telegraph was also erected there, from whence the enemy’s movements both by land and water could be plainly seen, and immediately made known. The destruction of the French batteries at the entrance of Boco di Cattaro is thus officially described by Captain Harper:–
“H.M. sloop Saracen, Aug. 18, 1813.
“Sir. – Having, on the 13th instant, well reconnoitred the harbour of Boco di Cattaro, I conceived it of great consequence destroying the batteries at the entrance, situated on two elevated and commanding points, as they protected the enemy’s gun-vessels, &c. from being attacked by our boats. Having, on the 17th, joined H.M. sloop Wizard, which you did me the honor to put under my command, I determined to attempt their destruction next morning at day-light. At sun-set the Weazle joined with your despatches. Having light airs and calms during the night, she could not proceed 10 the S.E. faster than we did. Captain Black, knowing our situation respecting men (the senior lieutenant of the Saracen and the marines of both brigs being on shore at Mezzo, and the master of the Saracen and 10 men in a tender, blockading Stagno, and surveying the coast), most handsomely offered his marines and small-arm men, which I gladly accepted. This morning, at 3-30, the boats left the brigs, under the command of Captain Moresby, who volunteered his services, pulled into the Boco, landed under a heavy fire of round-shot and musketry, and in the most gallant manner stormed the batteries, the French gunners and troops flying in confusion. The enemy was so intimidated by the determined conduct of the boats, that, could the brigs, which were detained by a vexatious calm, have got into the harbour in time to cover the landing, as was intended, I do not know where our success would have terminated; but the alarm being given, and troops collecting in every direction, prudence would not allow me to attempt more than destroying the batteries we had already taken, and which had been constructed with great labour. The three guns, 18-pounders, in the left-hand battery were spiked, and, with shot and shells, thrown over the cliffs into deep water; the carriages and platforms burnt; the furnace for heating shot, the magazines, and other buildings destroyed; as was also the battery on the right hand, of larger dimensions than the other, but only just finished, and the guns not yet mounted. In the execution of this service. Lieutenant Hancock, of the Saracen, was attacked by a party of soldiers, and, in a cool manner, he allowed them to come very near, when his men opened a well-directed fire of musketry, and the enemy made a hasty retreat, apparently with loss. At 4
p.m. having completed the destruction of the batteries, we weighed and made sail out of the harbour. Although the brigs and boats were much exposed to the enemy’s
