frigate, discovered and chased a French 18-gun brig into the small harbour of Parenza. Having received intelligence that such a vessel might be expected conveying supplies of all descriptions for the French frigates which had escaped into Ragusa, after their action with a British squadron off Lissa[1], Captain Brisbane felt that no means should be left untried to capture or destroy her. After reconnoitring her position, and consulting the pilots and Mr. Boardman, an officer belonging to the Acorn, who from his general local knowledge of the Adriatic, had handsomely volunteered his services for the cruise, he found it impracticable for the frigates to enter the port, there being only fifteen feet water in it, but that the brig might nevertheless be cannonaded with effect where she was then lying: according at 3 P.M. both ships stood in, within a cable’s length of the rocks at the entrance of the harbour, and opened an animated fire on her, and a battery under which she lay. In about an hour from the commencement the brig hauled on shore near the town completely out of the reach of shot; and all further efforts from the frigates being perfectly useless, Captain Brisbane determined on taking possession of an island in the mouth of the harbour, and within musket-shot of the town. The ships being anchored after the close of day, about four miles from the shore, 200 seamen and the whole of the marines were landed, under the orders of Lieutenant John M‘Curdy, and took possession thereof about 11 o’clock. With incessant labour, and the most extraordinary exertions, a defence was thrown up, and a battery of two howitzers and two 9-pounders erected on a commanding position, by five A.M. A field-piece was also placed at some distance to the left, to divide the attention of the enemy, who, aware of what was going on, had been busily enployed during the night planting guns in various parts of the harbour. Soon after five o’clock the French opened a cross fire from four different positions, which was immediately returned, and kept up on both sides with great vigour for five hours; when the brig being cut to pieces, the detachment, guns, ammunition, &c. were re-embarked with the most perfect order and regularity. This service was performed with the loss of 4 men killed and the same number wounded. The frigates were frequently
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POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.
