two sloops, one war junk, and fifteen proas, carrying altogether 50 guns, 4 six-inch swivels, and 380 men.
At day-light on the 6th Feb. 1810, Captain Tucker discovered two sail off Amboyna, which, after a chace of five hours, and a defence honorable to them, struck their colours, and were found to be the Dutch national brigs of war Rembang and Hope; the former of 18 long 6-pounders and 100 men, the latter of 10 guns and 68 men. Captain Tucker’s subsequent proceedings will be seen by the following extracts from his official letter, addressed to Vice-Admiral Drury, on the 20th of the same month.
“Sir,– Since my letter of the 8th instant, acquainting your Excellency with the capture of the Dutch brigs of war Rembang and Hope, by H.M.S. Dover, under my command, the services of the force under my orders, and the capture of Amboyna, require that I should enter into a detail thereof.
“I have, therefore, to inform your Excellency, that being joined on the 9th by H.M.S. Cornwallis, and a Dutch sloop of war which she had taken[1], I proceeded immediately up the harbour of Amboyna, and anchored in Laetitia bay, from whence we were enabled to examine tolerably well the numerous batteries erected since the English restored the island in 1803, on the different heights commanding the fort and anchorage of Victoria, as well as the anchorage of Portuguese bay.
“These anchorages are also further protected by the fort of Victoria, the sea-face of which is extremely strong; a battery close on the beach, well to the right of the fort, mounting four 12 pounders, one 8-pounder, two 6-pounders, and one brass 32-pounder; and a heavy battery built upon piles, far out in the sea, mounting nine 12-pounders and one brass 32-pounder.
“On the morning of the 16th, the plan of attack was determined upon, in consultation with Captains Montagu and (Richard) Spencer of the royal navy” (the latter commanding H.M. sloop Samarang); Captain M. H. Court, of the Hon.E.I.Company’s coast artillery, commanding the troops; and Captains Phillips and Forbes, of the Madras European regiment[2].
- ↑ The Mandarine of 16 guns and 66 men, captured on the 3d Feb. A detachment landed from the Cornwallis had previously destroyed the Dutch fort at Doolo Combo, on the island of Celebes; and the boats of that frigate had made a very spirited and successful attack upon a brig lying under the fort at Manippa; the particulars of which services will be given in our memoir of Captain William Augustus Montagu, C.B.
- ↑ The Dover, Cornwallis, and Samarang being very deficient of marines,
