“I have the honour to be,
“Your Lordship’s obedient servant,
“Charles Napier.”
“To the Right Hon. Lord Ponsonby.”
The day before I took Sidon, Captain Houston Stewart, with the Benbow, Carysfort, and Zebra, attacked Tortosa, but failed in consequence of the boats grounding on an unknown reef. Both officers and men displayed great gallantry, but his loss was severe. Subjoined is Captain Stewart’s letter to the Admiral on the subject:—
“Sir,
“H.M.S. Benbow, off Ruad,
September 26, 1840.
“I have the honour to acquaint you that the Benbow, Carysfort, and Zebra, anchored here on Sunday last, the 20th instant.
“We found the island without troops or arms of any kind, but an immense population just arrived from Tripoli, Tortosa, and other parts of the coast, at present menaced with military operations.