latter with hemp and iron, out of the magazines for those articles that were on the quay, and in which the sails and rudders of some of the vessels were concealed. Another large vessel laden with iron, which lay scuttled at the entrance of the harbour, we burnt, and after blowing up the castle and magazine, destroying the battery, and spiking the guns, the boats came off, I am happy to say, without the loss of a man, or any person being wounded, although much exposed to the fire of the battery, as well as musketry; nor was any damage done to the ships.
“The Mercury, from Captain Duncan’s anxiety to place her as near the town as possible, took the ground, but in so favorable a position as gave the fullest effect to her fire. She was hove off by 6 p.m. without having sustained any injury. I never witnessed more zeal and energy than was evinced by Captain Duncan upon this occasion.
“Lieutenant Willes displayed great gallantry in taking possession of the battery, the moment the ships had ceased firing; his exertions in bringing out the vessels were very great. Much credit is also due to the officers and men of both ships for their activity.”
Eight days subsequent to this affair, the Spartan, in concert with some Austrian troops, compelled the French garrison of Lusin, an island on the coast of Croatia, to surrender at discretion. The conduct of Lieutenant Willes on this occasion was likewise particularly noticed by Captain Brenton.
In Oct. following, Lieutenant Willes assisted at the reduction of Zante, Cephalonia, and Cerigo; the latter island defended by three forts, one of which (St. Joaquim), mounting 2 long nines and 2 Venetian 8-pounders, “was completely silenced by the gallant manner in which he attacked it in a prize-schooner under his orders, with a party of the 35th regiment on board.”
The Spartan’s glorious conflict with an enemy’s squadron in the bay of Naples, May 3, 1810, has been recorded at p. 268, et seq. of Vol. II. Part I. The following is an extract of the official letter written by her captain on that occasion.
“I was myself wounded about the middle of the action, which lasted two hours; but my place was most ably supplied by Mr. Willes, first lieutenant, whose merit becomes more brilliant by every opportunity he has of shewing it; he is without exception one of the best and most gallant officers I ever met with.”
The subject of this memoir was made commander June 2, 1810, and soon afterwards appointed to the Leveret brig, on the North Sea station, where he captured the following privateers:–
