carpenter, one seaman, and one marine severely wounded. The bovo shewed Turkish colours; but as she persisted in not bringing-to, I considered myself justified in destroying her, and accordingly approached her (on her running ashore on the shoals off Missolunghi) as near as the shallow water would admit of, and anchoring in three fathoms, was enabled to bring the broadside to bear, which was fired until she appeared to be a wreck. Hereupon the boats were again despatched, under Lieutenant Smith (who though severely wounded in the hand could not be prevailed upon to leave his duty), to bring out the remainder of the crew, and set her on fire, which was effected: seventeen were brought on board, besides a number who either escaped in her boat or waded on shore: we heard of four being killed, including her captain, and two mortally and severely wounded.
“On examination, she proved to be Turkish (and amongst her papers is a firman from the Grand Seignior), from Prevesa bound to Missolunghi, having four guns and a great quantity of small arms. These disastrous circumstances would not have occurred but for the obstinacy of her captain, who would not bring to, or permit us to examine him, though we were under English colours, and which led me confidently to believe she was a pirate.
“I regret the return of killed and wounded, but it was unavoidable. I have much satisfaction in reporting the spirited conduct of Lieutenants Smith and Grant, and the officers and men employed on this occasion, although the result has been so dearly purchased. I have the honor to be, &c.
“To Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Codrington, K.C.B.”
The conduct of Captain Irby throughout this transaction appears to have been perfectly proper, and that of the Turk, who had so pertinaciously resisted the scrutiny of a British man-of-war, either grossly ignorant or extremely mischievous. On the 25th of June in the same year, the commander of the Pelican addressed another official letter to Sir Edward Codrington, of which the following are extracts:
