August 19th, 1815.
In consequence of the atrocities committed by Sheriff Houseman, it
became necessary to destroy his stronghold in Malludu Bay; and to
effect that object Captain Talbot, with the 'Vixen,' 'Nemesis,' and
'Pluto,' accompanied by the boats of 'Agincourt,' 'Dædalus,'
'Vestal,' 'Cruiser,' and 'Wolverine,' then composing the squadron off
Borneo, proceeded to that place, which they reached on the 18th.
The Bay of Malludu has high-wooded banks on either side till in the
bight, where the land is flat and covered with mangroves. Here the
water is shallow, and there are several rivers, one of which is that
of Malludu. The enemy, from 500 to 1,000 in number, were posted in
two forts, mounting 11 or 12 heavy guns, and protected by a strong
and well-contrived boom. Before the fight commenced Sheriff Houseman
sent a flag-of-truce, and asked for Mr. Brooke. On being informed
that he was not present, he invited Captain Talbot to meet him, and
offered to admit two gigs to be hauled over the boom. This offer
being declined, the enemy instantly opened their fire. They fought
well, and stood manfully to their guns, the fight being protracted
for 50 minutes. The boom had first to be cut away before the boats
could advance. While working, axe in hand, to clear it, the gallant
Gibbard of the 'Wolverine' fell mortally wounded. The boats all the
time were under a very heavy fire; but at length advancing, they
carried the place with a loss of 6 killed, 2 mortally wounded, and 15
severely wounded. The loss of the enemy was proportionably great.
In the evening a detachment of 10 boats and fresh officers and men
quitted the 'Vixen' to complete the destruction of the forts.
Numerous proofs of the piracies of the Sheriff now came to light.
The boom was ingeniously fastened with the chain-cable of a vessel of
300 or 400 tons; other chains were found in the town; as also a
ship's long-boat, two ships' bells, one ornamented with grapes and
vine-leaves, and marked "Wilhelm Ludwig, Bremen," and every other
description of ships' furniture. Some piratical Illanun and
Balagnini boats were burned; 24 brass guns captured; the iron ones,
stated to have been got out of a ship, spiked and destroyed. Thus
Malludu ceased to exist, and Sheriff Houseman's power received a
fall, from which it could never recover.
Leonard Gibbard made his first trip to sea under charge of Captain
Keppel in 1834, when he commanded the 'Guilders' in the
Mediterranean; and at that early age promised, what he afterwards
proved himself to be, a gallant officer and thorough seaman. He was
a general favourite wherever he went.
In this action Sheriff Houseman was wounded dangerously, and it was
supposed died soon afterwards in the jungle to which he had escaped.
The following is a detail of the naval force employed in the attack
on, and destruction of, Malludu, under the command of Captain Charles
Talbot, H.M.S. 'Vestal,' with his official letter:--
Her Majesty's ship 'Agincourt's' gig, Captain Lyster; Mr. Creswell,
midshipman; 1 petty officer and 5 seamen. Gun-boat (launch), Lieut.
Lowther; Mr. Whipple, assistant surgeon; Mr. Burnaby, midshipman; Mr.
Barton, midshipman; 1 petty officer and 18 seamen. Gun-boat (barge),
Lieut. Paynter; Mr. May, mate; Mr. Patrick, assistant surgeon; 1
petty officer and 14 seamen. Pinnace, with rockets, Mr. Reeve, mate;
3 petty officers and 18 seamen. Cutter, Mr. Simcoe, midshipman; 11
seamen. Gun-boat, manned from 'Agincourt' and Hon. East India
Company's steam-vessel 'Nemesis,' with 1st Company small-armed men.
First cutter, Lieut. Reid; Mr. Hathorn, midshipman; 1 petty officer
and 10 seamen. Gun-boat (second cutter), Mr. Young, mate; 1 petty
officer and 10 seamen. Gunboat, with 'Agincourt's' field-piece men.
'Pluto's' cutter, Lieut. Heard; 2 petty officers and 15 men.
Her Majesty's ship 'Vestal's' barge, Lieut. Moritt, senior
lieutenant. Gun-boat, Mr. Pym, second master; 1 petty officer and 13
seamen. Pinnace, Lieut. Pasco; Mr. Ward, assistant surgeon; Mr.
Sanders, midshipman; 1 petty officer and 13 men.
Her Majesty's ship 'Vestal's' gun-boat (cutter), Mr. Durbin, mate; 11
seamen. Gig, Mr. Eccles, clerk; 5 seamen.
Her Majesty's ship 'Dædalus'' gun-boat (launch), Mr. Wilkinson,
second master; 1 petty officer and 18 seamen. Barge, Lieut.
Randolph, senior lieutenant; Mr. Huxham, midshipman; 2 petty officers
and 17 seamen. Pinnace, Mr. Nolloth, mate; Mr. Balcomb, midshipman;
1 petty officer and 12 seamen. Cutter, Mr. Protheroe, midshipman; 1
petty officer and 8 seamen.
Her Majesty's steam-vessel 'Vixen's' gun-boat (pinnace), Lieut.
Wilcox, senior lieutenant; Mr. Dent, mate; 1 petty officer and 15
men. First cutter, Mr. W. Sainsbury, midshipman; 9 seamen. Second
cutter, Lieut. Benham; 11 seamen.
Her Majesty sloop 'Cruiser's' gun-boat (pinnace), Lieut. Rodney,
senior lieutenant; Mr. Cotter, midshipman; 1 petty officer and 12
men. Gig, Commander Fanshawe; 1 petty officer and 4 seamen. Cutter,
Mr. Tuke, midshipman; 1 petty officer and 8 seamen.
Her Majesty's sloop 'Wolverine's' pinnace, Lieut. Hillier, senior
lieutenant; Mr. Johnson, midshipman; 1 petty officer and 12 seamen.
Gig, Commander Clifford; 1 petty officer and 4 seamen. Cutter, Mr.
Gibbard, mate; 1 petty officer and 4 men.