The Greeks.
The Times, 1824-10-16T00:00:00

ott asamos, 5 (17) August, 1824, 11 o'clock p.m. Participate in our joy, dearest fellow-citizens: this has been, for the Greek isavy, a day of glory and exultation. We will relate to you very satisfactory intelligence. Besides the action which took place yesterday, the result of which was as disadvantageous to the n-memy as it was glorious for us, oUr fire-ships have this day destroyel frigate, and a corvette of Tripoli, of the first ramk, and a brig of unii, in full sail, between the Capes of St. Maria and Colona Ithseveral transports, which the enemy had previously pre'parc'l the transporting of hlis troops. The action took place as foi- W*5:- After we had comnpelled the enemy to retreat in a shameful man- ner in the two first attempts to approachl us, he vesterday made a third Asttmpt, with all. his ships of war, to the nu'mber of 22. The combat commenced at half-past lO n.m. The enemy first approach- ed with all his large vessels, and then with his smaller ones. As we had not vet prepared our fire-ships, we ordered only 16 vessels of1 Hydra and Spezzia, which had just airrived, with an Hydriot fire. ship, ant a vesasel of Captain Canaris, which had also just arrived, te oppose them. The combat was obstinate on both sides, and the tactics of our Hvdriots and Spezziots were displayed in a most bril- liant manner. Our fire-ships, accompanied by our vessels, saalcd against the ships of the enemy, and threw them Into complete dis. ortler, obliging them to retire with disgrace, much farther than in their two formrer attempts. v ou may easily conceive with what courage this happy rest-lt in. sp:red our men, and on the contrary how discouraging it was for tbe enemy, and pTincipally for those troops which had been collected on the mountains of Asia M1inor, and werenow witnesses to the defeat of their fleet. But a more signal victory awaited the Greek fleet! This morn- Finj e saw the enemy making an approach towards as with the wind in his favour. We immediatelv ordered all our fire-ships to set sail, acconmpanied by different ships of war. About 10 a. r. the fire-ship commanded' by Captain Demetrius Zapli approacbed a ftigate of the first rank offt'Cape St. M1aria, and grappled her. There was a slight breeze, and the frigate, helped in. some manner by it and' towed by four galleys, escaped the danger which threatened her, and our fire.ship did not succeedt, but it aflorded aii opportunit to the brave Captain Canaris to go against the same frigate in the fire 5hips whlich he hiimself commanded, and he sumcceeded, towards ll o'clock a. en., in grappling her whilst in full sail. In a short time shc was all in flaites, and the fire having penetrated to the powder magazine soon blew her up, anl the sparks and pieces oF wood, which flew on all sides, not only destroyed all who ,vere on beard, to the number of 600, but several on the neighbouring coasts, and burned neary twerty transports, w hich were in readincss to transport the troops to Samos. Towards ten o'clock. Captain George Batiquiottis xvent against a brig of Tunis with his 'ire-ship, and succeeded in burningit ; and, at tllo'clock, Cantain Demetrius R.afalias went against a corvette of Tripollr with his fire-ship, and at the same time another fire ship went against the same corvette, so that in a short time it was all in flames. q ',,tain Romposi went also against a frigate with his fire- ship: he fHb,pled her well; but the wind anti the galleys wlhich towved her assisted her in escaping the danger, and consequently the flre-ship was lost. If Captain Romp)osi had not attacked the frigate he would without doubt have burned a brig. which was nearer, and which would have been an easy prey. His courage was unexanipled. illy duty obliges me to recormmend to your benevolence all the captains and seamen of our fireships, since all, without exception, <displayed mnost astonisliling energy and braverv. expesing themselves to the heavy fire of the enemy's ressels, and succeeding in destroying them whilst in full sail and oven daylight. Y1ou can easily imagine .vhit terror must have taken pessession of the enemv, and of Topal Pacha himself, to whose eves the ccnflagra- rion and destruction were doubtle4s no pleasant sight, and his courage was not so great as to induce him to assist then,. 1W'e hope, therefore, that the plans of the enemy against Sarnos have failed, mnaes, when lie had lost nearly 3,000 men in the vessels which were burned, we sIW th.st thc troops which were on the conti- nent had talken to flight; and we are fully perstiaded that none of those who witnessed thlis enga;ement would dare to embark. During these two davs-days which will be for ever memorable in Our naval r listorv.a French schooner was present, which, we trust, will relate all that occurred. We should have wish ed that other Europeans had also becen present atthar time, but not on board of the Turkish vessels, like those vhon, we saw fall into the sea from the vessels which we de- etroyed-a weorthy recoenpenee for their praiseworthy sentiments and their Christian feelings ! May all those who seek to injure our un- fortunate country experience a similar fate! 't'e have burned all our fire-ships: we therefbre request you to send us others without delay; we are also in want of' powder, which we beg may be sent inmnediately. Worthy- fellot'-citizeas !-We have several tinmes experienced that our fre-sl(ips are our best weapons, and by their means we hope to effect still more signal triumphs during this'campaign. Our sea- men ..re inspired with the greatest energy, and possess considerable abilities; every one of them is at present a lion; whilst, on the con. trary, our enemies art filled with fear and discouragement. We only lost two mcn on board of Captain Canaris's vessel, and one on board of Captain Romposi's. Captain Demetrius Zapli was burned in the tace, but he will be easily cured. The rest of the Turkish fleet is become a prey to terror, and we hore that this night will witness itr flight. Tiierc arrived hero yester(lav nine vessels from Spezzia and one from Ipeara, and there are just arTived three more from Spezzia, and four froni Ipsara. ( We have jnst been honoured vwith your esteemed despatches of the 30th ult., in which you order us to send seven vessels to Cape Coloni, and to leave here 18 other-. VWe shall execute your commands, but we take the liberty most respectfuzlly to suggest to you, that it seems .dlvisable to assemble here as manv vessels as Possible, and all the fi.v.ships. to attack and entirely destroy thefleet of Constantinople- now that fear has seized it; and afterwards we will proceed with all our vessels to encounter the Egyptian fleet. I have the honour to be, yonr most obedient and respeciful servant, (Sizned) GEO)RGE SACTOURI, Vice-Admiral. Napoli di Romania, 12th (24) Aug. 11124. (Copv agreeable to the original) (Signed) P. G. RODfOS, Secretary-General. TilE GRER3S. . wETRGO 05TOUy! Vlc_iTDOMTIRAL OF TITE: Gp2:'! ! FtEE-D, OEORG;E SACTOURr. TO TYrr allVrlr norr.-.