nant Quin did not leave the brig until she was in a complete blaze in all parts, which ended in her partially blowing up, burning to the water’s edge, and at last sinking in such a depth, that not a particle of her is to be seen, her masts having fallen in the flames.
“No language that I am master of can convey to you. Sir, an adequate idea of the intrepidity of the attack, which could only be equalled by the cool courage displayed during the time necessary to distribute the fire in all parts of a vessel under such circumstances.
“The officers’ names engaged in this service are subjoined; for as all did their duty so nobly on this occasion, and have on all former ones given me such perfect satisfaction, I cannot in justice particularize. They unite in speaking in the highest terms of the silence and good conduct of the men, who did not allow a whisper to be heard until the enemy’s first round of grape, which they answered with three cheers.
“I have great pleasure in adding, that, notwithstanding so very different a return might have been expected, I have only to report a few men hurt by severe contusions, and none killed, chiefly to be attributed to the masterly manner the business was conducted in; the whole of the credit of which is due to Lieut. Quin, to whom I confided the entire arrangement; and I hope you will honor him with your recommendation.
(Signed)“R. C. Spencer, Captain.”
“Sir Harry Neale, Bart. G.C.B. Vice Admiral, &c.”
List of Officers and Midshipmen employed in the Boats.
“Lieutenants – Michael Quin, Thomas Dilke, and George Evans; Lieut. W. S. Knapman, R.M.; Messrs. Searls Wood Oldham, Thomas Lavington, David Moseberry, John Robb, Charles Edward Schreiber, George Davies, John L. N. Sealy, Charles Hotham, Hon. Frederick William Grey, Charles D. Ryder, and Edmund H. Seppings, midshipmen[1].”
Whilst employed on the Barbary coast, the Naiad captured the Muni, from Leghorn bound to Algiers; and assisted in cutting out a ship laden with grain, from under the forts of Bona.
The bomb-vessels and others of the squadron having assembled in the bay of Algiers, the signal was at length made to take up the positions previously arranged, for the purpose of bombarding the town, which was only prevented from being carried into effect by the Dey communicating to Captain Spencer, who had been sent on shore, his readiness to
- ↑ This letter appeared in the London Gazette.
