the valour of British sailors was eminently conspicuous and always successful, we now come to the most important naval event which had for some time occurred on the Mediterranean station; namely, the brilliant victory obtained by Captain Hoste over an enemy’s squadron of far superior force near the island of Lissa, March 13, 1811. The battle is thus described by himself:
“Sir,– It is with much pleasure I have to acquaint you, that after an action of six hours we have completely defeated the combined French and Italian squadrons, consisting of five frigates, one corvette, one brig, two schooners, one gun-boat, and one xebec; the force opposed to them was his Majesty’s ships Amphion, Active, Cerberus, and Volage[1]. On the morning of the 13th, the Active made the signal for a strange fleet to windward, and day-light discovered to us the enemy’s squadron lying to, off the north point of Lissa; the wind at that time was from the N.W., blowing a fine breeze. The enemy having formed in two divisions, instantly bore down to attack us under all possible sail. The British line, led by the Amphion, was formed by signal in the closest order on the starboard tack to receive them. At 9 A.M. the action commenced by our firing on the headmost ships as they came within range. The intention of the enemy appeared to be to break our line in two places, the starboard division, led by the French Commodore, bearing upon the Amphion and Active, and the larboard division on the Cerberus and Volage. In this attempt he failed (though almost aboard of us;, by the well-directed fire and compact order of our line. He then endeavoured to round the van ship, to engage to leeward, and thereby place us between two fires; but was so warmly received in the attempt, and rendered so totally unmanageable, that in the act of wearing he went on shore OH the rocks of Lissa, in the greatest possible confusion.
“The line was then wore to renew the action, the Amphion not half a cable’s length frem the shore; the remainder of the enemy’s starboard division passing under our stern and engaging us to leeward, whilst the larboard division tacked and remained to windward, engaging the Cerberus, Volage, and Active. In this situation the action continued with great fury, his Majesty’s ships frequently in positions which unavoidably exposed them to a raking fire from the enemy, who, with his superiority of- ↑ Favorite, Flore, Danaé, and Corona, of 44 guns and 350 men each; the latter a 24-pounder frigate; Bellona, of 36 guns and 224 men; and Carolina of the same force, although described by Captain Hoste as a corvette. The brig and other small vessels carried in the whole 36 guns and 307 men, making, with the addition of 500 troops, a grand total of 284 guns and 2,655 men. The British squadron mounted 156 guns; and being 104 short of complement, went into action with only 879 men.
