“H.M.S. Psyche, off Java, Sept. 3, 1807.
“Sir,– I have the honor to acquaint you, that proceeding in the execution of your orders of the 18th June last, H.M. ships Psyche and Caroline reconnoitred the port of Souraybaya, on the 29th Aug.; and by a ship from Batavia (captured the following day) ascertained the situation of the enemy’s line-of-battle ships, which are still inactive there, and represented as being in too bad a state to admit of repair.
“As our success in a great measure depended on the intelligence the enemy might receive of our appearance on the coast, not a moment was lost in proceeding to Samarang, off which port the Psyche was enabled to anchor at midnight, the Caroline having previously parted company in chase by signal. At day-light I weighed and stood into the road, when the boats were despatched, under the direction of Lieutenant Kersteman, assisted by Mr. Charles Sullivan, to attack and bring out the enemy’s vessels there: this service was completely effected, in a manner highly creditable to the officers and men employed on it; the boats having taken possession of, and towed out from under a heavy fire from the batteries, an armed schooner of 8 guns, and a large merchant brig. The early part of the morning had discovered to us two ships and a brig at anchor outside; and from one of them having the appearance of a ship of war, not a doubt was to be entertained of their being enemies. To be ready to take advantage of the first setting in of the sea breeze, the captured vessels were destroyed; and before noon H.M. ship was clear of the harbour in chase of the enemy, whose vessels had weighed and stood to sea.
“I soon had the satisfaction of finding that the good sailing of H.M. ship afforded me a fair prospect of closing with the ship of war; and at 3-30 P.M., finding us fast coming up with them, they all bore up, and ran on shore about 9 miles to the westward of Samarang, opening, at the same time, a well-directed fire on us, which, on our anchoring in 3 fathoms, was very smartly returned, though apparently without much success; as the shoal water prevented my closing as near as I wished. In a few minutes, however, the largest ship struck; and at 4-30, as I was preparing to hoist the boats out, with an intention to attempt taking possession by boarding, the ship of war surrendered; the brig shortly afterwards fired a broadside, and hauled down her colours. They proved to be the Resolutie armed merchant ship, of 700 tons, with a valuable cargo, having on board the colours and staff of the 23d European battalion in the Dutch service; and the Ceres, a remarkably fine brig, in the Dutch Company’s service, of 12 guns and 70 men, a month from Batavia, under the convoy of the Scipio corvette, of 24 guns and 150 men: the latter sustained very considerable damage, many shot having passed through the hull; her rigging was much cut, and her commander mortally wounded. I am happy to add, that they were all got afloat the same night without injury, by the persevering activity of my officers and men.
“To Sir Edward Pellew, Bart. &c &c. &c.”
