having been often represented, he was promoted to his present rank on the 7th Dec. 1818. The following official letters are extracted from the London Gazette.
“Sir,– I have the honour to enclose, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the copy of a letter and its enclosures which I have received from Captain Rowley, of H.M. ship America, stating the particulars of a spirited attack upon the enemy’s batteries at Languilla, near Genoa, and the capture of a convoy that had taken shelter under them. I have the honour to be, &c.
“Vice-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.”
Enclosure.
“Sir,– I have the honor to inform you, that having yesterday, in company with the Leviathan and Eclair, fallen in with a convoy of eighteen sail of the enemy, deeply laden, which took shelter under the town and batteries of Languilla, and Captain Campbell concurring in opinion with me as to the practicability of bringing them out or destroying them by getting possession of the batteries, the marines of both ships, under the direction of Captain Rea, of the America, were landed this morning at day-break to effect it.
“A party under Captain Owen, R.M., of the Leviathan, was detached to carry a battery of five 24 and 18-pounders to the eastward, which he performed in a very spirited and judicious manner, the French officer who commanded falling in the attack: the main body in the mean time, rapidly advancing through a severe fire of grape, carried the battery adjoining the town of Languilla, consisting of four 24 and 18-pounders and a mortar, though protected by a strong body of the enemy posted in a wood, and in several contiguous buildings, upon the latter of which the guns were immediately turned with much effect. The enemy were now driven from the houses lining the beach by the fire of the Eclair, and the boats then proceeded to bring out the vessels that were secured by various contrivances to the houses and beach, their sails and rudders being mostly removed on shore: sixteen were towed off, as per enclosed list, which being accomplished, the marines were re-embarked in the most perfect order, under cover of the fire of the Eclair, and without molestation from the enemy, though a strong party was advancing from the town of Alassia to reinforce them.
“I regret to state, that our success has been clouded, and our loss on this occasion much extended, by an unfortunate accident which occurred in landing the party: the America’s yawl being sunk by a chance shot from the only gun that could bear on the boats; and before assistance