Commodore made off to the westward, which, from my crippled state, I was unable to prevent. The other surrendered, after being totally dismasted, with five feet water in her hold, and proved to be la Pomone, of 44 guns and 322 men, commanded by Captain Rosarnel, who fought his ship with a degree of skill and bravery that has obtained for him the respect and esteem of his opponents. The other was la Pauline, of similar force, commanded by Mons. Montford. They were from Corfu, going to join the squadron at Trieste[1]. The Alceste had 20 killed and wounded, Active 35, and Pomone 50; and it is with poignant regret I inform you, that Captain Gordon has lost a leg; but, thank God, he is doing well. His merits as an officer I need not dwell upon; they are known to his country, and he lives in the hearts of all who have the happiness to know him. His first Lieutenant, William Bateman Dashwood, lost his arm soon after he was wounded, and the ship was fought by Lieutenant George Haye, in a manner that reflects the highest honor upon him: his services before had frequently merited and obtained the highest approbation and strong recommendation of his Captain, who also speaks in the warmest praise of acting Lieutenant Moriarty; Mr. Lothian, the Master; Lieutenant Meers, R.M.; and every officer, seaman, and marine under his command.
“Although our success was not so complete as I trust it would have been could the Alceste have taken up her intended position alongside la Pauline, instead of that ship, from the fall of our topmast, being enabled to manreuvre and choose her distance, I feel it my duty to state, that every officer and man here behaved most gallantly. I was most ably assisted on the quarter-deck by my first Lieutenant, Andrew Wilson: and Mr. Howard Moore, the Master: the main-deck guns were admirably directed by Lieutenant James Montagu and Mr. James Adair, acting in the place of Lieutenant Hickman, left at Lissa with the gun-boats[2]. In justice to two very deserving officers, Lieutenant Miller, R.M., of the Active, and Lieutenant Lloyd, R.M. of the Alceste, it is necessary to mention that they were ashore with most of their respective parties at Camesa castle and Hoste’s islands, for the defence of Lissa, hourly threat-- ↑ La Pomone had in her hold 42 iron guns, 9 brass ditto, and 220 iron wheels for gun-carriages. She was one of the largest class of French frigates, and had been built by the citizens of Genoa for that nautical mushroom, Jerome Buonaparte, to whom she was presented on his obtaining the rank of a Captain in the imperial marine.
- ↑ Lieutenant John Collman Hickman, 1 midshipman, and 30 seamen, were left in three prize vessels for the protection of the island against the designs of Marshal Bertrand, the Alceste having also left behind 1 lieutenant, 1 serjeant, 2 corporals, and 48 privates of the royal marines, had on board only 218 officers and men. The Active was equally short of complement. For farther particulars of the action, see Captain Sir James Alexander Gordon, K.C.B.
