on in that quarter, we shall here present our readers with a more detailed narration.
On the 10th Feb. Sir John T. Duckworth, in the Royal George, of 100 guns, accompanied by the Pompée, of 80 guns, Captain Richard Dacres, bearing the flag of Sir W. Sidney Smith; Ajax, of the same force, commanded by the Hon. H. Blackwood; Windsor Castle, a second-rate, Captain Charles Boyles; Repulse, 74, Hon. A. K. Legge; and Lucifer and Meteor bombs, arrived off the island of Tenedos, where he formed a junction with the squadron under Sir Thomas Louis, consisting of that officer’s flag-ship, the Canopus, of 80 guns; Thunderer, 74, Captain John Talbot; Standard, 64, Captain Thomas Harvey; Active frigate, Captain R. H. Moubray; and Endymion frigate, Hon. T. B. Capel. Nothing of any consequence occurred till the night of the 14th, when the Ajax was unfortunately destroyed by fire[1]. Shortly after day-break on the morning of the 19th, the whole fleet stood for the entrance of the Dardanelles, in line of battle, the Canopus leading the van, and the bombs towed by the Standard and Thunderer, which latter ships formed part of the rear division under Sir W. Sidney Smith, who had previously been ordered, in the event of the Turks offering any opposition, to bring up and attack a squadron which Sir J. T. Duckworth had reason to suppose was lying at anchor off Point Pesquies.
As soon as the leading ship was abreast of the outer castles, she received a brisk fire from them, but without returning a shot. The like forbearance was observed by the others, as they passed in succession. A heavy discharge of cannon was also continued upon the British, from some batteries on the European side of the Hellespont, which, however, occasioned
- ↑ See p. 648.
render, the army was immediately landed, under the command of Brigadier-Generals Maitland and Fuller, assisted by a detachment of 200 seamen, commanded by Captain Ekins, of the navy. After a smart skirmish, in which the enemy lost two field-pieces, and had 50 or 60 men killed and wounded, the heights in the approach to the town of Philipsbourg were carried. Convinced that opposition would be vain, and must lead to destruction, the enemy now agreed to a verbal summons, and by midnight, the terms of capitulation were signed and exchanged. On the 28th, the islands of St. Thomas and St. John, with their dependencies, submitted, and on the 31st, the island of Santa Cruz followed their example.
