Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v3p2.djvu/115

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captains of 1829.
101

baffling winds, the ship was unavoidably exposed to a raking fire going in; but the fore-top-sail-yard, shot away, is the only damage of any consequence. I have to regret the loss of one marine killed and two men wounded.

(Signed)Henry Duncan.”

To Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Pellew, Bart.
&c. &c. &c.

In transmitting this report to the Admiralty, Sir Edward Pellew informed their lordships, that he was sure “the gallant conduct of Lieutenant Travers and his companions, who carried the fort by which the gun-boats were protected, would receive their approbation." In reply, one of the secretaries was commanded to direct Sir Edward to express their lordships’ approval of the bravery and good conduct so manifestly displayed; but the promotion of any individual concerned was not even hinted at.

On the 24th of the same month, Captain Duncan addressed Sir Edward Pellew as follows:

“Sir,– I have the honor to inform you of the capture of ten armed feluccas belonging to the enemy, laden with oil, which were launched and brought off from the beach on the coast of Calabria near Palinuro, by the boats of the Imperieuse and Thames, on the 19th and 21st instant: they were banked up with sand, and defended by a large detachment of Neapolitan soldiers; but nothing could withstand the gallantry of the seamen and marines of the two ships, the latter under their respective officers. Lieutenants Pipon and Adam, the whole commanded by Lieutenant Travers, who displayed his usual intrepidity and judgment. I have to regret the loss of one man killed, and four wounded. I am, &c.

(Signed)H. Duncan.”

On the latter day, ten gun-boats were discovered in the port of Palinuro, with a number of merchant vessels, and many valuable spars, intended for the equipment of the Neapolitan marine, hauled upon the beach; but, from local circumstances, Captain Duncan did not think the force he then had sufficient to attack them with a prospect of complete success: he therefore sent the Thames to Sicily, to request the assistance of a military detachment; and on the 28th, she returned with 250 men of H.M. 62d regiment, under Major Darley. Unfortunately, a S.W. gale precluded all possibility of landing until the evening of Nov. 1st, when the troops together with the marines and a party of seamen