Owing to the thinness of soil upon the Cavannos it was not until the 29th of June that our batteries could open against the Moro.
In order to obtain a superiority of fire on shore, Captain Harvey, in the Dragon, having under him two other ships, volunteered to place them against that Castle, which he did, in the most gallant stile, upon the morning of the 1st of July. By this diversion the object was gained, but with the loss of Captain Coostrey of the Cambridge, and 161 killed and wounded.
The labour of many days was destroyed by a fire that broke out from the dryness of the fascines, and the cannonade kept up, upon the 2d, which was not extinguished until the night of the 5th.
Such an unfortunate casualty depressed, but did not conquer the spirits of our men, who were additionally exposed to the most extreme fatigue, a scanty supply of water, and unwholesome provisions.—They had also to encounter an enemy in Don Velasco, worthy of his important trust.
Fortunately Sir James Douglas arrived from Jamaica with some reinforcements, which were soon followed by others from North America.
It falls not within my scope to enter minutely into the protracted events of this siege, which was carried on and sustained by both sides, with unexampled perseverance, and steady valour.
About one o'clock in the afternoon of the 30th of July, by the explosion of one of our advanced mines, a practicable breach for one file in front was effected, which was soon noticed, and assaulted by our troops, at the head of which was Lieutenant Forbes, of the Royal Scotch. Many of the Spanish Soldiers were within the casemates, and little anticipated so bold an attempt, but they were soon under arms, and encouraged to their duty by their brave Chiefs Don Velasco, and the Marquis Gonzales. Both these Gentlemen fell on the occasion; the former surviving only for a short time, the effects of a mortal wound. The Moro was soon carried, which led to the final conquest of the Havannah, and its dependencies upon the 13th of August. Twelve sail of the line, and a large treasure, were its immediate fruits.
Although nothing peculiarly brilliant fell to the lot of the corps of Marines co-operating in the fatigues of this arduous campaign, still their zeal and discipline kept pace with the other classes of his Majesty's servants, and justly entitled them to a share of that gratitude, bestowed in general terms to all, by their Leaders and their Country.
A predatory attempt against Newfoundland, by a squadron that stole out of Brest, under Mons. Ternay, having on board two regiments, was the only offensive operation on the part of the French during the year 1762.
This Officer might have tried his fortune in a manner far more suitable to the interests and dignity of his Country by aiming a blow at our East, West India, and North American convoys, protected by a very inferior force to his, instead of prosecuting a relentless fury against the insignificant garrison of St. John, and the tackle and stages of our poor, but industrious fishermen. Captain (afterwards Vice Admiral) Joshua Rowley, in the Superbe of 74 guns, the Gosport of 44, Captain Jervis, (now Earl St. Vincent), and the Danae of 38, Captain Henry Martin, having charge of these valuable fleets, were chaced by Mons. Ternay, on the 11th of May, having under him two line of battleships, two heavy frigates, and a bomb-ketch. The steady countenance of Commodore Rowley, who formed into order of battle, convinced the Frenchman that he must wade through a bloody and perhaps a successless conflict, before he could reach his object. The precarious issue induced Mons. Ternay to be off, and to pursue his course for less dangerous game.