On the 12th of January 1845, Lieutenant Lodwick, first lieutenant of HM
steamer _Growler_, Captain Buckle, who had been away for some time
cruising in the pinnace on the look-out for slavers, fell in with a
felucca, which, on seeing the pinnace, hove to. The lieutenant
naturally expected that she would make no resistance, as she might have
got away if she had chosen. When the pinnace, however, was within
thirty yards of the felucca, a whole range of muskets was observed
pointed over her bulwark. After this, Lieutenant Lodwick cheered his
men on to get up to her before she discharged this fearful battery; but
no sooner was the cheer uttered than the felucca opened on the boat.
This was a staggerer for the British boat; but fortunately the slaver's
crew fired too high (the felucca had now filled, and was going just as
fast as the boat could pull). Lieutenant Lodwick--the rim of whose hat
was shot through--at once returned the first volley with a round shot
and 180 balls in a bag. A second volley from the felucca told with far
more disastrous effect; two men were shot dead, and Lieutenant Lodwick
and two men severely wounded--the lieutenant having been struck on the
left knee and thigh. This left the pinnace with so few men, that,
having also had six of her oars shot away, Lieutenant Lodwick was
obliged to abandon the chase, and was picked up by the _Growler_,
standing towards the _Gallinas_, boat and gear being literally riddled
with shot.
Lieutenant Lodwick was promoted for his gallantry. The felucca had been
chased by every vessel on the coast, and always got away clear. She was
afterwards captured by a war-steamer, and bore evident marks of her
conflict with the pinnace. There were about seventy men on board--
English, French, and Americans--and she was commanded by an Englishman.