official letters relative to the expedition against Constantinople informs us, that he was employed under Sir Sydney Smith’s flag lieutenant at the demolition of the formidable redoubt on Point Pesquies, Feb. 21, 1807[1] and that that gentleman spoke “in the highest terms of praise of the officers and men under his direction.”
Mr. Lyons left the Active about Aug. 1808, and was appointed second lieutenant of the Baracouta brig, on the East Indian station, Nov. 21, 1809. It will be seen by reference to p. 508 of Vol. II. Part II. that he was particularly named by Captain (now Sir Christopher) Cole, as one of “the foremost in the escalade” at the storming of Fort Belgica, in the island of Banda Neira, Aug. 9, 1810; “an achievement which, for boldness of conception in the design, and daring courage in the execution, has rarely been equalled, perhaps never excelled, in the annals of British enterprise.”
The intelligence of this conquest was carried to Madras by the Baracouta; and on her arrival there, Mr. Lyons was immediately appointed flag-lieutenant to the commander-in-Chief, Rear-Admiral William O’Brien Drury, after whose demise [2], he continued in the Minden 74, Captain Edward Wallis Hoare, which ship was soon despatched to the coast of Java, with part of the 14th regiment on board, to await the appearance of the expedition then getting ready for the reduction of that important colony[3]. From the day of her arrival there, Lieutenant Lyons was constantly employed in reconnoitring, and assisting Captain George Sayer, of the Leda frigate, in procuring information relative to the force and position of the enemy.
In obedience to the senior officer’s directions. Lieutenant Lyons frequently reconnoitred Fort Marrack, in the Straits of Sunda; and having volunteered an attack on it. Captain Hoare was ordered by Captain Sayer to place 200 troops, and 200 seamen and marines, at his disposal.
Every thing was arranged; the attempt was to have been
- ↑ See p. 197.
- ↑ Mar. 6, 1811. See Nav. Chron. v. xxvi, pp. 179 and 203.
- ↑ See Suppl. Part II. p. 196.
