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Lieutenant James Little, to assist in towing them out; and soon after had the satisfaction of seeing them rounding the point; when the marines, commanded by Lieutenants Hayes and Pengelly, re-embarked under a heavy discharge of musketry, the enemy having collected a considerable force to harrass them in their retreat. The following is an extract from Captain Mundy’s unassuming narration of this dashing enterprise, in a letter to Lord Collingwood.

“When I review the circumstances attending the embarkation of this handful of men, and reflect on the many difficulties they had to surmount in an attack on a fort strongly defended by nature as well as art, then opposed to more than three times their own force for two hours, succeeding in possessing themselves of the vessels, and deliberately laying out hawsers to the very rocks that were occupied by the enemy, and warping them out against a fresh breeze, exposed to a galling fire of musketry; I feel perfectly incapable of writing a panegyric equal to their merits: but it has not required this exploit to stamp these officers with the character of cool judgment and determined bravery. During the term of four years, I have witnessed frequent instances of the gallantry of Lieutenants Drury and Hayes; and Lieutenant Pengelly (though not of so long a standing in the Hydra) has ever been a volunteer on such services. I have also the greatest pleasure in adding, that the above mentioned officers speak in enthusiastic terms of the behaviour of all employed under them. To your Lordship’s notice and protection, therefore, I beg most strongly to recommend them. The conduct of the rest of the officers and ship’s company fully equalled my utmost wishes: to the tremendous fire they kept up I attribute the smallness of our loss and damage, namely, 1 killed and 2 wounded ou board, and 4 wounded of the detachment; the fore and mizt-ntopmasts, and fore-top-sail-yard shot through, a few shot in the hull, and the rigging triflingly cut^[1].”

The following are copies of Lord Collingwood’a reply, and a letter from Rear-Admiral Purvis, expressive of the approbation of the board of Admiralty:–

“Ocean, off Sicily, 13th Oct. 1807.

“Sir.– I received with infinite satisfaction your letter of the 7th Aug., relating your proceedings on that day, when you attacked and captured three of the enemy’s armed ships in the port of Begu, where they were securely moored in a narrow harbour, and defended by a battery of considerable force. The gallantry with which this service was achieved in all its parts, both on board the Hydra, and by the party which lauded under Lieutenant Drury’s command, was worthy of the judicious arrangement

1. The prizes proved to be the Prince Eugene of 16 twelve-pounders, and 130 men; Belle Caroline 10 nine-pounders, 40 men; and Rosario 4 six-pounders, 20 men.