tain (Thomas James Maling) that it would have been impossible for a stranger to have known in the morning that an enemy had ever been in the town, much less that it had been occupied by the British during the whole of the preceding night.
After despatching the Espoir to the fleet, with the marines and boats belonging to the Caledonia, &c. Captain Ussher convoyed his prizes to Minorca, where he received a letter from Sir Edward Pellew, of which the following is a copy:
“Sir,– I have received your letter of yesterday by the Espoir, stating the particulars of your success at Cassis, and have great pleasure in sending you a copy of a memorandum which I have given out to the fleet on this occasion. I learn with concern, that your first Lieutenant and other brave men are severely wounded, and four killed; but considering the enemy’s means of defence, you had reason to expect a heavier loss.
“You have acted very judiciously in proceeding with the Redwing to Mahon, where you will use your own time in making your arrangements; and when replenished, both ships being supplied with rigging, sails, and stores, will return to my flag. The Espoir, which now proceeds to Mahon, will also rejoin me. I am, &c.
On the 9th Nov. 1813, Captain Ussher reported the capture and destruction of seven French vessels lying in Port Nouvelle, under the protection of several batteries, and a tower 30 feet high, the whole of which were carried in a most gallant manner by a detachment of seamen and marines, under the orders of his first Lieutenant, Joseph Robert Hownam, assisted by Lieutenants Thomas Hastings and George Hurst (of the Undaunted and Guadaloupe), Mr. Alexander Lewis, master of the latter vessel[1], and Lieutenant Harry Hunt, who on this occasion had the honor of commanding 100 marines, lent from the Caledonia, in addition to his own party.
The principal defence of Port Nouvelle was the above-mentioned tower; and a circumstance attended its capture that we cannot pass over in silence.
The Undaunted’s boats being always provided with scaling-ladders, the height of the tower was no security to it; but,
- ↑ A 16-gun-brig, commanded by Captain Arthur Stow.
