POST-CAPTAINS OF 1814.
339
he could possibly send, “for the captain of the English brig rendered it impossible to forward supplies by sea, and very difficult to do so by land.” The guard and drivers ran away; the oxen were all embarked in fishing boats, and brought safe alongside the Saracen.
On the 12th Oct. 1813, Captain Hoste arrived off Ragusa, in the Bacchante frigate, and was there joined by the Saracen and three Sicilian gun-boats, with 50 soldiers on board, sent by the governor of Lissa to co-operate with Captain Harper. On the 13th, in the morning, the passage between Castel Nuova and the fort of Rosa was forced; and, after some firing, a capital anchorage secured for the squadron, about 3 miles above the former. In the evening. Captain Hoste detached several boats and two gun-vessels, “under the orders of Captain Harper, who very handsomely volunteered his services, to capture the enemy’s armed naval force, said to be lying between Isle St. George and the town of Cattaro. Captain Harper completely succeeded: the enemy deserted their boats on his approach, and, having manned them, he most gallantly attacked and carried the island, the commandant and his garrison surrendering at discretion.” The following is Captain Harper’s report of this affair:
“Saracen, off Castel Nuova, Boco di Cattaro, Oct. 14, 1813.
“At 10
p.m., I left the Saracen with the two gun-boats, the launch and barge of the Bacchante, and the boats of the sloop under my command, and pulled towards Cattaro. On going through the passage of Cadoriee, the enemy in the island of St. George opened a heavy fire on us. We fortunately escaped without damage. At midnight, within 4 miles of Cattaro, I found the enemy’s four gun-boats in a state of revolt. I instantly took possession of them. The appearance of the English at this moment had the happiest effect. I landed at the different places, and summoned the principal inhabitants, who immediately, at my request, armed
en masse against the French. As there was not a moment to be lost in carrying into execution your further orders respecting the island of St. George, I hoisted the English and Austrian flags in the captured gun-boats, manned them with part English and-the remainder inhabitants, volunteers, and proceeded down to the attack of that place. At day-light, I landed at the town of Persate, and found the inhabitants had taken possession of a small castle of 3 guns. Seeing these might be employed with advantage against the fortifications of St. George, and the inhabitants putting themselves under my orders, I hoisted the British and Imperial colours, and assumed the command. I then ordered Lieutenant Gostling to bring up the gun-boats to the attack, which
