himself to attempt the fort and town of Fort Royal by assault[1]."
After the conquest of Martinique, Lieutenant Williams removed with his patron, who had by this time become a Rear-Admiral, into the Vanguard, 74. He subsequently commanded the flat-boats employed in landing the second battalion of light infantry, (under Lieutenant-Colonel Blundell) at Ance du Chocque in the island of St. Lucia; a service which he performed without any loss, although exposed to a
- ↑ In consequence of the determination of the British commanders, mentioned in the above extract from the London Gazette Extraordinary of April 22, 1794, a number of scaling ladders were made of long bamboos connected with strong line; and the Asia 64, and Zebra sloop of war, commanded by Captains Browne and Faulknor, were ordered to hold themselves in readiness to enter the Carénage, for the purpose of battering the fort, and covering the flat-boats, barges, and pinnaces, under the command of Commodore Thompson, supported by Captains Nugent and Riou; while a detachment of the army advanced with field-pieces, along the side of the hill under Fort Bourbon, towards the bridge, over the canal, at the back of Fort Royal, This plan of attack, which was put into execution on the 20th March, succeeded in every part, except that of the Asia getting into her station, which failed through the misconduct of M. de Tourelles, the former Lieutenant of the port, who had undertaken to pilot her in, but afterwards refused to do so under pretence of shoals. Perceiving the Asia baffled in her attempts, Captain Faulknor, who, with an indescribable firmness, had, for a length of time, sustained a shower of grape-shot, determined to undertake this service alone. Accordingly, with matchless intrepidity and conduct, he pushed his little ship close under the walls of the fort, leaped into a boat, and followed by his crew, scaled the ramparts before Prince Edward’s brigade from La Coste and Cas Navire, and the storming party of seamen from the camp at Point Negro, under Captains Rogers, Scott, and Bayntun, could come to his assistance. Seeing the Zebra go in, all the boats seemed to fly towards the scene of action. Those from Point Carriere landed near the Zebra; and their men mounting the walls, assisted the gallant Faulknor in driving the enemy out of the fort. The republican flag was immediately hauled down, and the British union hoisted in its stead amidst three hearty cheery from alt who had witnessed this brilliant exploit. The capture of Fort Louis led to the surrender of the whole island on the 23d of the same month.
During the siege the gun-boats, which by the French were called “Les petits Diables,” were of infinite service, and gained the officers commanding them immortal credit, by the steady and well-directed fire Ijjev constantly kept up, both day and night; and though continually exposed to a heavy discharge both of round and grape, their loss did not exceed 4 men killed and wounded.
