John M‘Kerlie, of the Calliope, who, with one gun-vessel and a strong division of row-boats, pushed past the French batteries at the mouth of the Weser, proceeded up that river, and secured the corvettes, each pierced for 20 guns, as also two gun-brigs, and several other vessels. On the 30th of the same month, Captain Farquhar landed at Braak, put that town in a state of defence, and commenced a correspondence with the Senate of Bremen, then lately restored to authority.
His next operation was the reduction of the above mentioned batteries (Bremer-lehe and Blexen), by the surrender of which both banks of the Weser were perfectly cleared of the enemy, and the intercourse between Bremen and Great Britain revived, to the great joy of the Senate.
About this period, Captain Farquhar detached a sloop of war and two gun-vessels into the Ems, for the purpose of blockading Delfzyl, a strong fortress on the Dutch side of that river, then about to be besieged by a detachment from the allied army[1]. He then proceeded with the remainder of his squadron, to co-operate in an attack upon the French forts at Cuxhaven, the successful result of which enterprise was reported by him to the late Admiral Sir William Young, in a letter dated Dec. 1, 1813, from which we have taken the following extracts:–
“I have very great pleasure in stating to you, Sir, that in the last ten days the small detachment of Russian troops, commanded by Colonel Radinger, assisted by H.M. squadron under my orders, have succeeded in reducing four strong batteries, consisting of 60 heavy guns, 4 mortars, and 800 officers and men * * * *. These batteries were complete with provisions of all kinds for six weeks, and contained a very considerable quantity of ammunition and military stores of every description[2].”
The last and most important service performed by Captain Farquhar and his gallant companions was the reduction of Gluckstadt, an extremely strong fortress, which had been several times besieged by powerful armies, but never taken until Jan. 5, 1814; when it surrendered to a division of the
- ↑ See Captain Thomas Barker Devon.
- ↑ It is proper to remark that the Russians were totally unprovided with artillery, and that the British seamen had to encounter many difficulties before they could place their guns in battery against Bremer-lehe and Blexen; the roads being almost impracticable, and much exposed to the enemy’s fire.
