“Rear-Admiral Baron de Bandeira, in the Austrian frigate Medea, and the Guerriera, under the command of His Imperial Highness the Archduke Frederick, with the Austrian corvette Lipsia, rendered much assistance. Rear-Admiral Walker Bey, in the Sultan’s ship Mookuddimay-i-hive of 74 guns, took up a most favourable position opposed to the south face, and did good service.
“The steamers Gorgon, Vesuvius, Phœnix, and Stromboli, fired shot and shells into the town with much precision, and it is generally supposed that shells from the Gorgon occasioned the destruction of the powder magazine.
“A flag of truce having been offered by the Turkish Admiral and rejected a short time before, I did not think it necessary or becoming that the summons should be repeated, particularly as hostilities had already commenced, and the ships and steamers had been fired upon as they approached the walls.
“I have not been able to ascertain the number of troops in the town of Acre at the commencement of our fire: they have been estimated at 4500, besides a body of cavalry outside the town of 800. Many lives were lost by the explosion of the magazine. 700 Egyptians and two officers of rank came in this morning with their arms, and surrendered themselves as prisoners.
“To Colonel Sir Charles Smith devolves the task of putting the town and fortifications into a posture of defence, and I am happy to find that his health enables him to perform his duty with his usual intelligence.
“A great quantity of arms and ammunition was found at Acre, and the fortifications were fast getting into a state of preparation against attack.
“I am much indebted to Captain Edward Boxer, of the Pique, and to Captain Codrington, of the Talbot, for the excellent surveys which they made of the shoals round Acre, which enabled the ships to go in without risk of getting ashore.
“I return a list of the killed and wounded in the allied squadrons, but the damage to the masts and rigging can be made good without the ships being sent off the station.
“The success of this enterprise, so important in its results, has called for my acknowledgements in general orders to the officers and men of the combined squadrons, whose united exertions had so much contributed to its attainment.
“I have the honour to be, &c.,