The Seamen and Marines of the Mermaid, under Captain Oliver, merit notice in having cut out and destroyed 9 vessels, under a fort near Cape Corsette.
The conduct of Lieut. Yeo and his brave followers in the port of Cecenatico, where they rendered 13 merchantmen unserviceable, was most distinguished. Lieut. Jewell, of Marines, in a detachment of this nature under Captain Hillyer, which gallantly brought out two large corvettes from the road of Barcelona, amidst a shower of shot and shells, behaved with much courage and conduct throughout that service. These detailed exploits were performed on the Mediterranean station during this year.
The Dutch island of Curacoa, in South America, when on the eve of being possessed by a French force, claimed the protection of Captain Watkins, of his Majesty's frigate Nereide, who landed his Marines and some Seamen, who had the honor of deterring the enemy from his attempt, and securing that settlement.
Goree, on the coast of Africa, surrendered to Sir Charles Hamilton, of La Melpomene, when Captain M'Cleverty, with the Marines of the squadron, were landed to garrison it.
A very gallant single action was fought off St. Domingo, between La Seine, Captain Milne, and La Vengeance French frigate, which terminated in the republican ship striking her flag. Captain Milne, who had oftener than once approved himself a brave Officer, thus speaks of Lieutenant Macdonald, who commanded the Marines of La Seine: "I am indebted to the services of Mr. Macdonald, of Marines, who was taken down wounded, and came up again when dressed, but was obliged, from a second wound, to be taken below; but I am happy to state, the life of this valuable Officer will be saved, to render further services to his Majesty. The behaviour of the Marines was such as does them the highest credit."
In the East, Lieutenant Owen, of my corps, volunteered from the Adamant to assist in destroying the French frigate La Precieuse, which had been run on shore by that ship and the Tremendous near Fort Louis, on the Isle of France; a service that was spiritedly executed under a heavy fire from the batteries, and they brought off some of the Officers and men prisoners.
The achievements upon the home station in this style of warfare, were both crouded and brilliant, and it is with a mixture of exultation and of pride, that so many amongst the rising generation of my brethren, appear upon those honorable annals.
Amongst the foremost stands the name of Lieutenant (now Adjutant) Gerrard, of Marines, who volunteered from the Fisguard, to attack a convoy at St. Croix, laden with provisions and stores for the French fleet at Brest; which material object was in part effected, in opposition to the fire from a strong battery, three armed vessels they took, and a line of musquetry on the shore. Eight of inferior note were captured, and twenty were run on the rocks. Lieutenants Burke, Dean, Stamp, and Price, of the Royal Navy, also gave shining patterns of valour.
Another attempt upon some of the enemy's vessels at the mouth of the river Quimper on the 23d of June, although not equally prosperous, was still alike glorious to Lieutenants Burke of the Renown, and Parker of the Defence, as well as Lieutenant Gerrard. After reaching the mouth of that river, the Marines were landed on both its sides, under the command of Lieutenants Burke and Gerrard, who were to protect the boats under Mr. Parker, in their approach to the vessels of war and small craft. But the enemy had removed them to an inaccessible distance, and this bold essay terminated in the destruction of three strong batteries with their guns, by these divisions.
The cutting out La Desiree, from the roads of Dunkirk, will be long remembered, and must for ever establish the personal intrepidity of Lieutenants M'Dermitt and Pierce, of the Royal Navy.