17th September.
As it was necessary to take possession of Caiffa, Captain Collier, of
H.M.S. 'Castor,' with the 'Pique' and Ottoman frigate 'Dewan,' were
sent to accomplish that work. The squadron appeared off the place on
the evening of the 16th September, and the following morning a boat
was despatched with an officer of the Turkish frigate, accompanied by
Lieutenant Shadwell, in one of the 'Castor's' boats, both bearing
flags of truce, to demand the surrender of the place to the Sublime
Porte. The flag was refused, and peremptorily warned off. The ships
took up their berths, Lieutenant Wellesley, of the 'Castor,' ably
assisting in placing the Ottoman frigate, and the 'Castor'
commencing, the ships opened their fire on the batteries. These were
manned and ready for defence, with 500 men in the town, but such was
the effect of the first few broadsides, that the troops abandoned
their posts, and fled from the town, leaving their arms, knapsacks,
&c., in all directions behind them. The Ottoman flag was soon
planted on the ramparts by Lieutenant Patey, accompanied by
Lieutenant Winthrop; Messrs. Connelly and Boyd, mates; Mr. Hunt,
midshipman; and Mr. Cole, second master. They were immediately
joined by Lieutenants Carey and Macdougall, and a party of seamen and
marines from the 'Pique,' and the whole party proceeded to spike and
destroy the eight guns on the ramparts, by knocking off the trunnions
and burning their carriages. A quantity of arms, stores, and
munitions of war were found in the magazines, all of which were
either destroyed or brought off.
The following morning the 'Castor' and 'Pique' opened their fire on a
castle in the rear of the town, and drove out its garrison; and a
party of seamen and marines afterwards landing, destroyed its guns
and shook its walls to their foundation. The officers employed in
this service were Lieutenants Varlo, Moubray, and Hamley, of the
marines; Lieutenant Wellesley; Messrs. Cockburn and Gibbard, mates;
Mr. Foley, midshipman; and Mr. Ramage, clerk--under the command of
Lieutenant Patey. While spiking one of the guns, which had been left
loaded, Lieutenant Macdougall, of the 'Pique,' and Mr. Grill,
carpenter, were severely wounded. Lieutenant Galway, who accompanied
the boats of the 'Pique' both days; Messrs. Morris and Heath, mates;
Messrs. Hawkins, Kenly, and Bridge, midshipmen; and Mr. Partridge,
volunteer of the first class--were highly spoken of; and Lieutenant
Patey, Senior Lieutenant of the 'Castor,' and Mr. Cockburn, Senior
Mate, were recommended for promotion for their officer-like, cool,
and steady conduct employed on shore.