command; but sorry I am to say, he lived only a few minutes after the victory. In him, the service has lost a most zealous, gallant, and valuable officer. Johnson, the pilot, shewed the utmost address and gallantry in approaching the island. Much credit is due to Mr. Enwright the surgeon, and his assistant, for their close attendance, both being on shore before a wounded man could be taken out of the boats. Our loss has been severe, but from the importance of this post, I think it could not have been well less. The bay inside the island will hold any number of vessels; the whole coast near the port is unprotected, and the water is very smooth. I have to request you will particularly recommend, as being highly deserving of promotion, Lieutenants Chads and Watling; Lieutenants James Cottell and William Bate, of the royal marines; Lieutenant Davis, of the engineers, (a passenger with me, who volunteered his services in the boats, an officer of great ability, to whom I have entrusted the new and additional defence of the island) Mr. Saunders, master’s-mate, whom I shall be proud to have as lieutenant of this ship; and Messrs. Parr, Andrews, Simpson, Braithwaite, De Horun, and Hislop, midshipmen, but who have not yet served their time. I enclose a list of the killed and wounded, and shall get every other necessary paper, as soon as possible, to accompany this. I have the honor to be, &c.
“To Commodore Rowley, Boadicea.”
As the names appear In Captain Pym’s letter, so was the seniority of Lieutenants Chads and Watling; notwithstanding which, he afterwards granted the latter officer a certificate, wherein is the following paragraph:–
“I do further certify, that the conduct of the said Lieutenant Watling in the attack of l’Isle de la Passe, under Lieutenant Norman, of the Sirius, was truly gallant, and that after the latter was killed, by his side, in the moment of victory, he took the command.”
Although the latter part of this quotation is too absurd to require any comment, we shall here give an extract of a letter subsequently addressed to Lieutenant Chads by Captain Bate, R.M.
“It was impossible Lieutenant Watling, could have taken the command after poor Norman’s death, you being the senior officer, and I do well recollect your claiming it in the presence of Captain Cottell and myself, and that we both acknowledged you as our commanding officer.”
Ten days after the capture of l’Isle de la Passe, the Iphigenia and Magicienne arrived there, and formed a junction with the Sirius and Néreide. The disastrous result of an
