Memoir of the Life and Services of Vice-Admiral Sir Jahleel Brenton, Baronet, K.C.B.
History
Memoir of the Life and Services of Vice-Admiral Sir Jahleel Brenton, Baronet, K.C.B.
Admirals -- Great Britain -- Biography; Brenton, Jahleel, Sir, 1770-1844; Great Britain -- History, Naval -- 19th century
When the action was over, the brig that had been captured was taken in
tow, and proved to be Murat’s royal yacht, sent out for the purpose of
strengthening the squadron. On the sea breeze setting in, Mr. Willes, the
first Lieutenant, who had also been wounded, paraded the prize before
the mole of Naples, and then made sail out of the bay. On the following
morning the Success and Espoir joined, and their surgeons were found
most welcome assistants to the surgeon of the Spartan, who had none of
his own. His conduct indeed was most meritorious, and for the first
week he was continually, night and day, passing from the sick bay to the
Captain’s cabin, hardly known to take either rest or food.
The Spartan proceeded to Palermo, on her way to Malta; and the prize
under Lieutenant Baumgardt was sent to Messina, in order to take Captain
Hoste to head quarters, and from thence to proceed to Malta.
On the arrival of the Spartan at Palermo, an extraordinary order had
been given that all vessels, from whatever place, should be put under
quarantine, until liberated by order of the prime minister. This was the
first instance since the Spartan had been upon the station. No sooner was
the Admiral informed of the circumstance, than he sent off an express to
the court, then at some distance in the country.
In the mean time Lord Amherst, the British Ambassador, embarked with
the Admiral in his barge, and came off to the Spartan; and as they were
prevented by the quarantine laws from coming on board, they both mounted
the stern ladders as high as the cabin windows, where Captain Brenton
having ordered his cot to be hung near them, had an opportunity of
conversing with his kind friends. Such an instance as an Ambassador and
an Admiral suspended on two rope ladders, hanging over the stern of a
ship, was probably never seen before, nor is it likely to recur. It is
only mentioned here, to shew their kind solicitude to afford comfort to
their suffering countrymen, for this was their object; and as soon as
they knew what means were the most likely to supply this, they returned
on shore, and boats were sent off, not only with fresh meat, fruit,
and vegetables, but with every delicacy from the Ambassador’s splendid
table, for the use of the wounded. No pratique having been obtained that
evening, Captain Brenton directed the first Lieutenant to weigh before
day-light the following morning, and on the 10th they reached Malta, and
were received in the most enthusiastic manner by all classes of persons,
who seemed to vie with each other in testifying every possible act of
kindness.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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