praise; at the same time I cannot pass without notice the general good conduct of every officer and man serving under my command. I have the honor to be, &c.
This daring act was nobly accomplished by Captain Hillyar and Lieutenant Schomberg, with the officers and men under their directions, but has been greatly misrepresented; it having been stated that Captain Hillyar availed himself of the neutrality of a Swedish galliot to get alongside of the enemy unperceived or unsuspected. The fact is, that one of the eight boats placed under his orders by Captain Louis was employed overhauling the Swede at the moment when the others shoved off from the Minotaur, and it was for the purpose of giving instructions to the officer commanding her that he went along side the galliot, where he continued while that vessel stood in towards the mole of Barcelona, the place of her original destination. When within long-gun shot the boats quitted the galliot, and pulled in with such alacrity and resolution, that the crew of the enemy’s outer ship had neither time nor inclination to reload their guns which had been discharged when the boats were first discovered. As the British boarded, the enemy retreated into the cabin, where they barricadoed themselves, and made an obstinate defence, but were at length obliged to surrender. Three cheers from the assailants announced this conquest, upon which, the other corvette commenced firing round and grape. Her fore-topsail had been loosed in order to cast her towards the molehead, where the Spaniards intended to seek refuge; unfortunately for them, the sail took the wrong way, and she was boarded with complete success, her crew making but little resistance. Her cable was then cut, and both vessels were towed out in triumph, under the heavy fire described in the foregoing letter.
Such was the result of this gallant enterprise, which, the enemy, ashamed of their defeat, attempted to prove was done under the disguise of a neutral flag; forgetting that the exploit was achieved after dark, when no flag could be distinguished. It is however, to be regretted that the galliot was in company; for, although her presence neither contributed to the success of the attempt, nor the safety of the boats,
