Captain Jahleel Brenton, in which ship he continued, on the Mediterranean station, until his promotion to the rank of commander.
In April, 1809, Lieutenant Willes performed a service of some importance in the Adriatic, as will be seen by the following official statement:–
“Spartan, Trieste, April 27, 1809.
“Being, with the Amphion and Mercury, off the town of Pesaro, on the 23d instant, I observed a number of vessels lying in the mole, and thought it practicable to take possession of them; for which purpose the ships were anchored with springs upon their cables, within half a mile of the town, and the boats formed into two divisions; the first consisting of launches with carronades, and other boats carrying field-pieces, under the orders of Lieutenant Phillott, first of the Amphion, took a station to the northward of the town; and the second division, consisting of rocket-boats, under Lieutenant Baumgardt, of the Spartan, to the southward; both divisions commanded by Lieutenant Willes, first of the Spartan. As soon as these arrangements were made, I sent a flag of truce on shore, to demand the surrender of all the vessels, adding, that should any resistance be made, the governor must be answerable for the consequences. I gave him half an hour to deliberate.
“At half-past 11 a.m. the officer returned with a message from the commandant, stating, that in half an hour I should receive his answer.
“I waited 35 minutes from the time the boat came alongside, when, observing no flag of truce flying on shore, but that troops were assembling in considerable numbers in the streets, and on the quays, and that the inhabitants were busily employed in dismantling the vessels, I hauled down the flag of truce, fired one shot over the town to give warning to the women and children, and shortly after made a signal to commence firing, which was instantly obeyed by the ships and boats. At 32 minutes after 12, observing several flags of truce hung out in the town, I made the signal to cease firing, and Lieutenant Willes pulled into the harbour, where he was informed, that the commandant had made his escape, with all the military.
“I considered the place as surrendered at discretion, and gave orders for all the boats to be employed in bringing out the vessels, and the marines to be landed to protect them. Lieutenant Willes made the most judicious arrangements to put these orders into execution: the marines were drawn up on the marina, under Lieutenant Moore, R.M. of the Amphion; the launches stationed in such a manner as to enfilade the principal streets, and the other boats’ crews employed in rigging the vessels, and laying out warps to haul them off with, as soon as the tide should flow.
“About 2 p.m. I received a letter from the commandant, dated half-past one, demanding another hour for deliberation; I refused him a mo-
