It is impossible to mention one-tenth part of the services performed by
our men-of-war in all parts of the world of late years in capturing
slavers, destroying pirates, and punishing outrages committed on British
subjects. In 1848 an English merchant-vessel, the _Three Sisters_, was
taken possession of by the notorious Riff pirates, and towed close in to
the shore on the coast of the Mediterranean, after her master and the
crew had fortunately escaped. Commander McCleverty, of the
_Polyphemus_, was at once despatched to retake the brig. On approaching
the shore he found a force of 500 men drawn up to defend their prize.
The pirates on this daringly opened a hot fire of musketry upon the
steamer, which she returned with doses of grape and canister, and
quickly dispersed them. The boats, under the command of Lieutenant
Allen Gardner, were then sent to bring off the brig, but as they got up
to her a gun opened fire on them, and the pirates returning commenced
blazing away from behind the rocks at them and the ship, by which
Lieutenant Wasey and seven men were wounded. Lieutenant Gardner,
notwithstanding, got hold of the brig, and towed her to the
_Polyphemus_, which steamed off with her to sea.
The punishment inflicted on the Riff pirates was soon forgotten, and
they continued their depredations on British commerce. In 1851 they
captured the brigantine _Violet_ and the schooner _Amelia_, killing the
masters and several men among their crews, while the survivors were
carried into slavery. On information of the outrage being received at
Gibraltar the _Janus_, Captain Powell, started immediately to punish the
pirates. Both vessels were found total wrecks on shore. The _Janus_
could therefore only retaliate by firing on the piratical boats, which
she did, totally destroying the whole of those seen. She afterwards
came in sight of another large pirate fleet. The boats were sent on
shore to destroy them, but the Riff people collecting in overwhelming
numbers, attacked them so furiously that they were compelled to return
to the ship, Captain Powell himself and seven men being wounded. The
_Violet's_ crew were, however, liberated.