Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v4p2.djvu/265

the island of Funo. The Weazle was directed to support her boats, whilst I continued, with what little wind there was, the chase of those my own boats were after; and I have much satisfaction in stating the capture of the whole, without the loss of a man. The enemy waited in line to receive the attack; but the judicious disposition of the commanding lieutenant, and his prompt measures for boarding them, occasioned their surrender. * * * * * * * * The Weazle joined me in the evening, with the two gun-boats she had been sent in pursuit of; and a circumstance occurred in the capture of them, which will, I trust, recommend Mr. Edward Webb to the notice of the commander-in-chief. Notwithstanding the exertions of the Weazle, the boats were enabled to close with the enemy before her, and the then leading boat, commanded by Mr. Webb, of the Bacchante, got up with the sternmost who received him very warmly: he boarded and carried her. She mounted one 14-pounder in the bow, one 6-pounder in the stern, and had forty men on board. He left her to be taken possession of by the boats that were coming up, and pushed on after the headmost, which he boarded and carried in the same gallant manner. This one had a 9-pounder in the bow, a 6-pounder in the stern, and thirty-two men on board. Mr. Webb’s boat mounted an 8-pounder in the bow, and he had eighteen men only with him. He has passed his examination as lieutenant, has been two years acting, and is a very promising, meritorious young man. The enemy had quitted Corfu the evening before. * * * They are very fine vessels, and sail remarkably fast. Their guns are fitted so as to turn on a pivot, and may be fired in any direction without altering the course, which enabled them to keep up a very smart fire as our boats approached. the enemy had two men severely wounded. I am happy to say, we had no casualty whatever.”

“June 12th, 1813.

“At day-light this morning we discovered an enemy’s convoy under the town of Gala Nova, on the coast of Abruzza. As I was six or seven miles to leeward of them, with a light breeze, and a current against me, I thought it best to detach the boats, with discretionary orders to the first lieutenant, S. T. Hood, either to attack them, or wait till I arrived. He found the enemy much stronger than was expected, consisting of seven large gun-boats, each mounting one 18-pounder in the bow, three smaller vessels with a 4-pounder in the bow, and fourteen sail of merchantmen under their protection, four of which had guns in the bow also. The shore astern of the vessels was lined with troops, entrenched on the beach with two field-pieces. This was the force opposed to a frigate’s boats; but no disparity of numbers could check the spirit of the brave officers and men employed on this service. The attack was determined on instantly, and executed with all the gallantry and spirit which men accustomed to danger, and to despise it, have so frequently shewn; and never