“We were by these means enabled to anchor by noon in a quarter three within range of grape of the battery, and very soon silenced it, when Lieutenant Willes, first of the Spartan, pushed in and took possession of it, turning the guns upon the castle and town, which were soon after deserted. We captured in the port twelve vessels, some laden with corn for Venice, and the others being in ballast, we filled them with iron and hemp out of the magazines for these articles, which were upon the quay, and in which the sails and rudders of some of their vessels were concealed. Another large vessel laden with iron, which lay at the entrance of the harbour, scuttled, we burned; and after blowing up the castle and magazine, destroying the battery and spiking the guns, we came off, I am happy to say, without the loss of a man, or any person being wounded, although much exposed to the fire of the battery, as well as musketry; nor was any damage done to the ships. “The Mercury, from Captain Duncan’s anxiety to place her as near the town as possible, took the ground, but in so favourable a position, as gave the fullest effect to her fire. She was however, hove off by 5 p.m. without having sustained any damage. “I never witnessed more zeal and energy than was evinced by Captain Duncan upon this occasion. Lieutenant Willes displayed great gallantry in taking possession of the battery the moment the ships had ceased firing, and in the expedition with which he turned the guns against the place; his exertion also in bringing out the vessels was very great. Much credit is also due to the officers and men of both ships for their activity. “I have, &c. “J. BRENTON.” “RIGHT HONOURABLE VICE ADMIRAL LORD COLLINGWOOD.” Captain Brenton dispatched the Mercury to convey the prizes to Trieste, and on the following day came up with them off Rovigno. But having been joined by the Thames, with orders for the Mercury to be sent to Trieste, and from thence with the British Minister’s dispatches to Malta, he was under the necessity of sending the captured vessels into Rovigno, a port on the coast of Istria. The following letter to Lord Collingwood will shew the state of affairs at this time in the upper part of the Adriatic, and of the necessity for every exertion being made by the little squadron. “SPARTAN, OFF ROVIGNO, 5th MAY, 1809. “MY LORD, “The Thames joined us last night, and I shall in consequence dispatch the Mercury immediately to Trieste for Mr. Stuart’s dispatches, and direct her Captain to proceed to Malta with them.