been able to assist her consort, had again got pretty close up, and the action between us soon recommenced; but so obstinate was the resistance of the Turks, it was not till a quarter-past one we rendered her a motionless wreck. As they now would neither answer nor fire, I conceived it most prudent, knowing the character of the people, to wait for daylight to send on board her. At daylight, observing her colours upon the stump of the mizen-mast, we poured a broadside into her stern, when she struck, and I had the pleasure to take possession of the Badere Zaffer, a very fine frigate, of the largest dimensions, carrying 52 long brass guns, 24-pounders on the main-deck, except two, which are 42-pounders, and 12-pounders on the quarter-deck and forecastle. She had a complement of 500 men, and was commanded by Scanderli Kichuc Ali, who, I am informed, was only prevented by his own people from blowing her up. Her loss in killed and wounded is prodigious, 165 killed and 195 wounded; ours comparatively small, five killed and ten wounded. Our mizen-mast fell soon after the action, which is the greatest injury we have sustained. The other ship was named the Alis Fezan, carrying 24 brass 12-pounders and two mortars, commanded by Daragardi Ali, with a complement of 230 men. I understand they took most of the men out of the galley before the action, and sent her away.
“Having now, my Lord, given you the details of this affair, there only remains the pleasant office of recommending to you the officers and ship’s company, who, during a tedious night action, where much depended upon working the sails as well as the guns, behaved in a manner to command my utmost gratitude. The disparity of force, with the loss sustained by the enemy, will prove the greatness of their exertions; to which I shall add, that thirty men were absent from the ship. Mr. Downie, the first lieutenant, is an officer of merit, ability, and experience, and I beg strongly to recommend him to your Lordship’s protection for promotion. Mr. Lester, master’s-mate, who has passed, is also very deserving of promotion. Thomas Hubby, gunner’s-mate, and an excellent man, acted as gunner; and, from his conduct, is very deserving of such a situation.
“I am now proceeding with the prize for any port I can first get into among the islands, as it is with difficulty we can keep her above water.
(Signed)“John Stewart.”
Just as Captain Stewart was about to renew the action with the Badere Zaffer, after silencing her consort, a man in the maintop of the Seahorse hailed the quarter-deck and exclaimed, “the little frigate has given three rolls, and gone to hell, Sir!” A marine also reported having seen her go down; and this was the last time that mortal eyes ever beheld the Alis Fezan.
The Seahorse mounted thirty long 18-pounders (two of
