national xebec la Conception, with two long 9-pounders, mounted and pierced for twelve guns, by the boats of H.M. ship under the command of Lieutenant Walter Croker (1st) and Lieutenant Williams Random (2d) of this ship. Nothing could surpass the undaunted and determined spirit with which she was boarded and hove off the shore, and towed out from under a most galling fire of musketry, and from a battery of eleven 24-pounders, which she had run under. This service was most arduous, and could not be performed without a loss (comparatively small), viz. Mr. John Webb (midshipman), a most promising young officer, shot through the body (since dead), and five seamen badly wounded. Lieutenant Croker” (who had both lappels of his coat shot away) “has reported to me, in the strongest terms of praise, the very gallant support he received from Lieutenant Sandom, and every petty officer, seaman, and marine, employed under his command. I have the honor to be, &c.
“To Captain the Hon. Henry Duncan,
H.M.S. Imperieuse[1].”
“Sir,– I beg leave to acquaint you, that on the 4th instant, running along the coast to the Island of Ponza, at one p.m., I observed a convoy of nineteen vessels in the harbour of Marinelo (about six miles to the eastward of Civita Vecchia), protected by two gun-boats, a fort of two long 24-pounders, and a strong fortified castle and tower; and it appearing practicable to cut them out, as the wind was fair for that purpose. Lieutenants Croker and Lester, with Lieutenants Whylock and Davies, R.M., gallantly volunteered to storm the fort on the land side, with the whole of the marines and boats’ crews, whilst the ship anchored before it, which service was promptly performed; and, after a few broadsides, I had the satisfaction of seeing the battery carried and guns spiked by our gallant party on shore.
“The enemy retreated and took the strong positions of the castle and tower overlooking the harbour, where they kept up a constant fire of musketry, through loop-holes, without the possibility of being dislodged; although I weighed and moved in, so that the whole fire of the ship was directed against it, nothing could damp the ardour of the party on shore, who, together with Lieutenant Lester in the boats, lost not a moment in hoarding and cutting the cables of sixteen vessels, under a most galling fire; two of which were sunk in the entrance of the harbour, and fourteen got out.
“I have to regret the loss of twelve brave men, killed and wounded,- ↑ The above is an exact copy of the letter written by Captain Mounsey, but which was much curtailed in the London Gazette. See Captain Williams Sandom.
