with all the barges destined for the cavalry, are likely to protract the intended descent upon Sicily for a considerable time. All the troops concentred in the environs of Bagnara and Scylla, as well as those in the camp near Melra, have received orders to go into cantonments in the neighbouring villages.”
“Hamburgh, Sept. 1st. – Letters from Naples state, that the King was expected there, the expedition against Sicily having been postponed for an undetermined time.”
The Observer, Sept. 16, and the Times, Sept. 22, state – “Agreeable to information received from Naples, the capture of the two convoys Murat alleges as the cause for his not attempting the invasion of Sicily.”
On the 5th Oct. following, the boats of the Thames, assisted by those of the Eclair brig, cut out ten transports, collected near Agricoli, in the gulph of Salerno, and the same number of armed feluccas were subsequently destroyed by a detachment landed from that frigate and the Cephalus sloop of war, as will be seen by Captain Waldegrave’s hitherto unpublished letter, of which the following is a correct copy:
“H.M.S. Thames, Gulph of Policastro, June 17, 1811.
“Sir,– The convoy we have been so long hoping to intercept on its way from Pizzo to Naples despairing to elude us, detached from time to time the rowing boats singly, while ten large armed feluccas kept in a body together for their mutual support. The unremitting attention of Captain (Augustus William James) Clifford in the Cephalus, looking out to the southward for this division, was yesterday crowned with the satisfaction of his discovering them hauled up on the beach under Cetraro. He immediately pushed forward, and by anchoring kept them in check at that place until our approach. The wind failing, obliged us to tow, so that we could not anchor until dusk. A party of 180 men was then landed under the orders of Lieutenant (Samuel) Whiteway, first of this ship. Covered by our fire, I had a hope he would have succeeded in launching the vessels; but their unusual size and heavy cargoes rendering it impossible, compelled us to burn them. This was done so effectually as only to leave me the regret that our brave fellows could not be rewarded with the spoils their exertions so well deserved. Captain Clifford was on shore, and with myself ascertuned that no measures were untried to get the vessels off. The characteristic zeal of this officer, of Lieutenants Whiteway and Morier of this ship, and Lieutenants Richardson and Jenkins of the Cephalus, with the petty officers, marines, and crews of the boats, was fully displayed on shore, while Lieutenant Dawson and the few on board exerted themselves equally by a well-directed fire for their support. Mr. Cornwall, Midshipman, and 2 men were wounded; but considering the numbers exposed for two hours to a fire of musketry at twenty yards distance from the town,
