In our last number (p. 360), we stated that the combined squadrons
of England and France (to which that of Russia, under Count
Heyden, has been since added) had compelled Ibrahim Pacha to
assent to an armistice, until the result of the negociations at
Constantinople should be known; when he promised that "his fleet
should not move from Navarino, until he received full instructions
from Constantinople." It appears, however, that Ibrahim, whether
in obedience to, or in opposition to the Ottoman Government,
treacherously broke the conditions of the armistice. In the first
place he attempted to make sail from Navarino to Patras, and on
being ordered back by Adm. Codrington, landed his troops, and
wreaked his barbarous vengeance on the miserable Greek inhabitants
of the Morea. In short, it was discovered that the Turkish
soldiers were desolating the country with fire and sword, and
even butchering the women and children. Capt. Hamilton, of the
Cambrian, communicated the circumstances to Adm. Codrington, in a
letter dated Kitries, October 18. He says: "I have the honour of
informing you that I arrived here yesterday morning, in company
with the Russian frigate Constantine, the captain of which ship had
placed himself under my orders. On entering the Gulf, we observed
by clouds of fire and smoke that the work of devastation was still
going on. The ships were anchored off the pass off Ancyro, and a
joint letter from myself and the Russian captain was despatched
to the Turkish commander. The Russian and English officers, the
bearers of it, were not allowed to proceed to head-quarters, nor
have we yet received any answer. In the afternoon, we, the two
captains, went on shore to the Greek quarters, and were received
with the greatest enthusiasm. The distress of the inhabitants
driven from the plain is shocking! women and children dying every
moment of absolute starvation, and hardly any having better
food than boiled grass! I have promised to send a small quantity
of bread to the caves in the mountains, where these unfortunate
wretches have taken refuge. It is supposed that if Ibrahim remained
in Greece, more than a third of its inhabitants will die of
absolute starvation."
Under these circumstances the commanders of the allied forces
signed an agreement on the 18th of October to enter and take
a position in the port of Navarino, as a commodious means of
"renewing to Ibrahim Pacha propositions, which, entering into the
spirit of the treaty, were evidently to the advantage of the Porte
itself." After the first part of this arrangement had been executed
on the 20th by their anchoring close to the Turkish line of battle,
the allied flags of truce were fired upon, and many British lives
destroyed, in the very act of peaceable remonstrance with the
Infidels. The necessary retaliation for this outrage brought on
a general action, and the total destruction of a fleet which was
armed with 1,800 pieces of ordinance.
The particulars of this brilliant victory are admirably detailed
in the official despatches addressed to J. W. Croker, Esq., by
Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Codrington, dated Navarino, October 21.
They appeared in a _Gazette Extraordinary_ of the 10th of November,
of which the following is a copy:
"H.M.'s Ship _Asia_,
"Port of Navarino, October 21.
"Sir,
"I have the honour of informing his Royal Highness the Lord High
Admiral, that, my colleagues Count Heyden and the Chevalier de
Rigny having agreed with me that we should come into this port,
in order to induce Ibrahim Pacha to discontinue the brutal war of
extermination which he has been carrying on since his return here
from his failure in the Gulf of Patras, the combined squadrons
passed the batteries, in order to take up their anchorage, at about
two o'clock yesterday afternoon. The Turkish ships were moored in
the form of a crescent, with springs on their cables, the larger
ones presenting their broadsides towards the centre, the smaller
ones in succession within them, filling up the intervals. The
combined fleet was formed in the order of sailing in two columns,
the British and French forming the weather or starboard line, and
the Russian the lee line.
"The _Asia_ led in, followed by the _Genoa_ and _Albion_, and
anchored close alongside a ship of the line bearing the flag of
the Capitana Bey, another ship of the line, and a large double
banked frigate, each thus having their proper opponent in the front
line of the Turkish fleet. The four ships to windward, part of the
Egyptian squadron, were allotted to the squadron of Rear-Adm. de
Rigny; and those to leeward, in the bight of the crescent, were
to mark the stations of the whole Russian squadron; the ships of
their line closing those of the English line, and being followed
up by their own frigates. The French frigate _Armide_ was directed
to place herself alongside the outermost frigate, on the left
hand entering the harbour; and the _Cambrian_, _Glasgow_, and
_Talbot_ next to her, and abreast of the _Asia_, _Genoa_, and
_Albion_; the _Dartmouth_ and the _Musquito_, the _Rose_, the
_Brisk_, and the _Philomel_ were to look after six fire vessels at
the entrance of the harbour. I gave orders that no gun should be
fired, unless guns were first fired by the Turks; and those orders
were strictly observed. The three English ships were accordingly
permitted to pass the batteries and to moor, as they did with great
rapidity, without any act of open hostility, although there was
evident preparation for it in all the Turkish ships; but upon the
_Dartmouth_ sending a boat to one of the fire vessels, Lieut. G.
W. H. Fitzroy, and several of her crew, were shot with musketry.
This produced a defensive fire of musketry from the _Dartmouth_,
and _La Syrene_, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral de Rigny; that
was succeeded by cannon-shot at the Rear-Admiral from one of the
Egyptian ships, which, of course, brought on a return, and thus
very shortly afterwards the battle became general. The _Asia_,
although placed alongside the ship of the Capitana Bey, was even
nearer to that of Moharem Bey, the commander of the Egyptian
ships; and since his ships did not fire at the _Asia_, although
the action was begun to windward, neither did the _Asia_ fire at
her. The latter, indeed, sent a message, "that he would not fire
at all," and therefore no hostility took place betwixt our two
ships for some time after the _Asia_ had returned the fire of the
Capitana Bey.
"In the meantime, however, our excellent pilot, Mr. Peter Mitchell,
who went to interpret to Moharem my desire to avoid bloodshed, was
killed by his people in our boat alongside.
"Whether with or without his orders I know not; but his ship soon
afterwards fired into the _Asia_, and was consequently effectually
destroyed by the _Asia's_ fire, sharing the same fate as his
brother Admiral on the starboard side, and falling to leeward a
mere wreck. These ships being out of the way, the _Asia_ became
exposed to a raking fire from vessels in the second and third
line, which carried away her mizen-mast by the board, disabled
some of her guns, and killed and wounded several of her crew.
This narration of the proceedings of the _Asia_ would probably be
equally applicable to most of the other ships of the fleet. The
manner in which the _Genoa_ and _Albion_ took their stations was
beautiful; and the conduct of my brother Admirals, Count Heyden
and the Chevalier de Rigny, throughout was admirable and highly
exemplary.
"Captain Fellowes executed the part allotted to him perfectly,
and with the able assistance of his little but brave detachment,
saved the _Syrene_ from being burnt by the fire vessels. And the
_Cambrian_, _Glasgow_ and _Talbot_, following the fine example of
Capitaine Hugon, of the _Armide_, who was opposed to the leading
frigate of that line, effectually destroyed their opponents, and
also silenced the batteries. This bloody and destructive battle was
continued with unabated fury for four hours, and the scene of wreck
and devastation which presented itself at its termination was such
as has seldom been witnessed. As each ship of our opponents became
effectually disabled, such of her crew as could escape from her
endeavoured to set her on fire; and it is wonderful how we avoided
the effects of their successive and awful explosions.
"I contemplate, as I do with extreme sorrow, the extent of our
loss, I console myself with the reflection that the measure which
produced the battle was absolutely necessary for obtaining the
results contemplated by the treaty, and that it was brought on
entirely by our opponents.
"When I found the boasted Ottoman's word of honour made a sacrifice
to wanton savage devastation, and that a base advantage was taken
of our reliance upon Ibrahim's good faith, I own I felt a desire to
punish the offenders. But it was my duty to refrain, and refrain I
did; and I can assure his Royal Highness, that I would still have
avoided this disastrous extremity if other means had been open to
me.
"Total killed, 75; total wounded, 197.
"_Killed and wounded on board the French ships_: Killed, 43; 79
severely wounded; 65 wounded.
"Accounts have been received from Constantinople of a date
subsequent to the arrival of the above news at that city. The Divan
appeared to be in a state of consternation; and the Ambassadors
of the three allied powers were urgently pressing the subject of
their intended negociations. The haughty tone of the Porte seems to
be in some measure subdued; and, contrary to general expectation,
there has been no popular commotion excited against the resident
Christians."