Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-08-08
Cdptuin Waisom's Report.
u. -. ualiiut Sea GutI, All,
ThOmpsnn's Islnnh. IulY IL LIZ


Thompson's Island, July n, 1928.
Sra Having had the honor to report the
circumstances attending the cruize of the divi
SION under my orders, prior To our separation
of st. John de los Remedies, have now To
communicate, for yoar information, my sub
sequent proceedings in the barges Gallinipper
and Mosquito.
After strict examination of the coast and
islands, from Cayo Francis tn Cayo Bianco,
in the vicinity of Point Hycacos, whilst cruz
Ing in Siguapa Bay, we discovered "a large top
sail schooner, with a launch in company,
working up 10 an anchorage, at which several
merchant vessels were lying. Being to wind.
ward, bore up with the Gallinipper, for the
purpose ot ascertainIng their characters. and
when within gun-sho, perceiving the large
vessel to BE- well armed, aud her deck filled
with men, hoisied our cours on seeing
which, they displayed the Spanish flag, and
the schooner, having braied up her fore sail,
commenced firing at the GalIinipper l i'm
medately kept away, and ran down upon her
weather quarter, making signal at the same
time Tor the Mosquito to close; having much
the advantage in sailing, they did not permit
us To do so, hut made all sail before the wind,
for the village of Siguapa, to which place we
pursued them, and, after short action, sue
ceeded in taking both vessels, and effecting
"a
amounting, as nearly as could be ascertained
at the time, to 80 or so men, but, as we are
since Informed, To 20 or 80. They engaged
us without culors OF any description, having
hauled down the Spanish Gag after firing the
hrst gun and on approaching To board, tour
men giving three cheers, and dischargng their
musketsl the Pirates fled precipitately, some
70 their launch, ~ ing in shore from whence a
fire was still kept up, whilst others endeavor
ed to escape by swimming 10 the land A
volley of muske,ry, directed at the launch
completed their disorder, and drove them into
the sea; but the boats going rapidly through
the water, cut off their retreat, with the ex-
ception ofiiiteen-eeyen ofwhom were either
Killed or desperately wounded, and taken
prisoners by our men, who landed in pursuit
and the remaining four apprehended by the
local authorities, and sent TO MatanZes. The
larger vessel was called the Catalina, com
uiiIued 10y tiir celebrated Pirate DiabOleta,
taken some weeks since from the Spaniards
between Havana and Maranzas, carried TO
SiSnapa Bay, where she received her arna
nent; had captured nothing, this being the
commencement of her piratical cruze
cannot close this communication without
performing most pleasing task in reporting
the active gaIlantry and good conduct of my
oilictrs and men, none of whom sustained the
slightest injury in the action, the result of
which, trust, Is sufficient to satisfy you that
an nndcr my orders did their duty, particu-
larry when ii is considered that we had but
wenty-six men, opposed TO force of piraical
vessels, well supplied with arms of all kinds
among which was on" long nine and two six.
Founders. have much pleasure in naming,
as my associates, Lieut.. Inman, acting Sailing
master cambridge, Dr. Rabbit, Midshipmen
HARDWOOD and Taylor and Messrs Webb and
Grlce, who oheyed and executed all orders
and signals with a promptltude and zeal which
could not be exceeded.
have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your Obedicnt servant,
w. II. WATSON.
Commd. ID PORTER, Commanding
IS. Naval Forces in tie West Indies
and Gulf Of Mexico.