by John Marshall

“ One volley, however, induced them instantly to retire. The Imperieuse had, in the mean time, been endeavouring to occupy the attention of the gun-boats and battery in front 5 but the light and baffling winds prevented her getting any nearer than long range during the evening. Next morning, finding that nothing could be done on the land side against the battery and a strong tower which protected the vessels on the beach, and within pistol-shot of which the gun-boats were moored. ”

“ I have also much gratification in stating, that Captain Napier, who did me the honor to accompany me on shore with a party of seamen and marines, contributed materially by his cool, judicious, and actively intrepid conduct, ably seconded by the gallantry of Lieutenant Travers, to surmount all difficulties in gaining the heights, in the face of an opposing and strongly posted numerous enemy, whom we had afterwards the satisfaction of dislodging and obliging to retreat, leaving us in full possession of the heights and telegraphic tower. ”

“ Sir, in attempting to pass encomiums on the very superior judgment and heroic gallantry of the commandant Captain Duncan, as also in the gallant manner of laying his ship alongside a strong battery and fortified tower, flanked by several gun-boats, which were shortly silenced by a powerful and well-directed fire, in conjunction with Captain Napier, of H.M.S. Thames, whereby the commandant was left in possession of the enemy’s flotilla, convoy, battery, and tower. ”

“ Lieutenant Travers was continually employed on that service, in boats, every night, during two months: he afterwards, in a most gallant manner, in a six-oared cutter, cut out a French merchant vessel, lying within twenty yards of a battery to which she was made fast, and brought her out under a heavy fire [11] . He was subsequently employed on the coast of Spain, in assisting the patriots, landing stores, &c.; at the fort of Morbella, which was nearly surrounded by French troops; and in destroying a large martello tower. ”

“ In March, 1806, with a single boat’s crew, and no assistance at hand, he boarded, in open day, and carried a large Spanish schooner, El Serpanton, of 6 guns and 35 men, lying with springs on her cables, at the mouth of the river St. Juan. He subsequently landed with Captain Bligh, and the greater part of the Surveillante’s crew, on the island of St. Andreas, the garrison of which was completely surprised and carried away to Jamaica, Lieutenant Travers remaining on the spot as governor, with El Serpanton under bis command, and a party of marines for his protection. ”

“ They fire their batteries by broadsides, and the reports of the individual pieces are seldom distinguishable. They always play, moreover, against a certain point till they have demolished it. Their six-gun battery invariably went off as if only one gun.”
Mr. Travers continued to serve on shore, as naval aid-de-camp to Sir Eyre Coote and his successor, Lieutenant-General Don, until the final evacuation of Walcheren, when he rejoined the Imperieuse, as first lieutenant. ”

“ The man who attempted to shoot Lieutenant Travers, and then struck him with the butt-end of his musket, had shortly before deserted from a wooding party, at the island of Navaza, accompanied by another sailor. A day or two after their flight, the Surveillante captured a small schooner, and Lieutenant Travers suggested to Captain Bligh the probability of recovering them by stratagem. The schooner was placed at his disposal; he stood for the island, which was then out of sight, and, on closing with it, hoisted Spanish colours: – the bait took ”

“ In the summer of 1806, the Surveillante sailed for England, accompanied by the Hercule, la Fortunée frigate, la Superieure schooner, and about 200 sail of merchantmen. When off the Havannah, a number of Spanish vessels were discovered, under the protection of a 74-gun ship and two guarda-costas. La Fortunée, the schooner, and a boat commanded by Lieutenant Travers, were immediately sent in pursuit, and succeeded in capturing the gun-vessels and twenty others, deeply laden with sugar, &c. ”

“ Travers commanded a party of forty sailors, and nobly seconded Lieutenant Willoughby in storming Fort Piscadero, in the island of Curaçoa, by which daring exploit a safe place of debarkation was secured for the seamen and marines then in readiness to be landed from the squadron under Captain John Bligh, of the Theseus 74, for the purpose of endeavouring to subjugate that colony. For his gallantry on this occasion, and his equally spirited conduct during the rapid movement which caused the Dutch to fly from all their positions on the heights near the town of St. ”

“ Dunn, master’s-mate, with whom, and several blacks, collected on his way to the beach, he hastened off, and got alongside before discovered. A musket was snapped at his breast as he gained the deck, and a blow, aimed at his head, would most probably have proved a quietus, had not his upraised arm received it. ”

“ Lieutenants Pipon and Adam, the whole commanded by Lieutenant Travers, who displayed his usual intrepidity and judgment. I have to regret the loss of one man killed, and four wounded. I am, &c.
(Signed) ⁠“H. Duncan.” On the latter day, ten gun-boats were discovered in the port of Palinuro, with a number of merchant vessels, and many valuable spars, intended for the equipment of the Neapolitan marine, hauled upon the beach ”

“ One of the gun-vessels mounted two long 18-pounders, and had on board a complement of 50 men; the other nine were each armed with one long 18, and manned with 30 men: the merchant vessels, twenty-two in number, were laden with oil, cotton, figs, silk, &c. In performing this service, the British sustained a loss of five (including Lieutenants Kay, of the 62d, and Pipon, R.M.) killed, and eleven men wounded. The contents of Captain Duncan’s official report, with the exception of the following paragraph, will be found in p. ”

“ Travers jumped overboard, at the imminent risk of his life, and swam to the shore with a line, by which he was enabled to haul thither a rope of sufficient strength for a spring. Until this was done, the ship could not be considered out of danger. ↑ See Suppl. Part II. p. 126 et seq. ↑ See Vol. II. Part I. p. 331, et seq. ↑ See Vol. II. Part II. p. 714, et seq. ↑ See Vol. II. Part II. p. 906, et seq. ↑ Then commander-in-chief of the army; Earl Chatham having returned home. ↑ See Sir George Augustus Westphal. ↑ With the loss of only one man. ”