expedition; the nature of the services performed by the officers and crew of the Havannah are shown in official letters, of which the following are copies:
“Sir,– Some of the enemy’s coasting; vessels having taken shelter under a battery of three 12-pounders, on the S.W. side of the Penmarks, I yesterday morning sent my first lieutenant (William Hamley), with the boats of this ship, to spike the guns, and bring the vessels out or destroy them; which service he performed without the loss of a man, in a manner that does great credit to himself, as well as all the officers and men employed on the occasion. I have the honor to be, &c.
“To Rear-Admiral Sir Harry Neale, Bart.”
The vessels taken on this occasion consisted of one schooner and five chasse-marées, principally laden with wine and brandy. On the 20th of the same month, Admiral Sir Charles Cotton, then commander-in-chief of the Channel fleet, informed Captain Cadogan that the Lords of the Admiralty highly approved of his judgment in directing the attack to be made, and of the zeal and good conduct displayed by Lieutenant Hamley, &c.
“Sir,– In reporting the capture of the enemy’s gun-boat No. 8, of one long 24-pounder and 85 men, commanded by Mons. J. Floreus, enseigne de vaisseau, I must beg leave to cull your attention to the great skill aud gallantry with which this service was executed by the first lieutenant, (William Hamley), who, with only a division of this ship’s boats, at two o’clock in the afternoon of the 6th instant, attacked and carried the above vessel, far superior to them in force, prepared in every respect, and supported by musketry from the shore, where she was made fast; our boats not having any expectation of meeting any armed vessel, till upon opening the creek where she lay, they were fired upon, and desired by the troops on shore to surrender. I have to lament the loss of a very line young man, Mr. Edward Percival, master’s-mate, killed, and two seamen wounded. Three merchant vessels were also taken. I have the honour to be, &c.
“To Captain C. Rowley, H.M.S. Eagle.”
On the 7th of the following month, the boats and marines of the Havannah, under the command of Lieutenant Hamley, captured and destroyed four Franco-Venetian gun-vessels, twenty-one transports laden with ordnance stores, and a
