1809	Light Squadrons and Single Ships	174

preventing any reinforcements or supplies being thrown into them from the main.

On the 25th, at 8 a.m., when lying at anchor two miles south by east of the island of Procida, in company with the gun-boats, the Cyane and Espoir discovered a French frigate, a corvette, and several gun-boats, coming out of Pozzuoli bay. The British vessels, by signal from the Cyane, immediately got under way, and, having a light air from the north-east, stood to meet the enemy's vessels ; with what chance of success, had one party been as daring as the other, some account of the force on each side will best explain. The Cyane mounted on her main deck. 22 carronades, 32-pounders, and on her quarterdeck and forecastle eight carronades, 18-pounders, and two long sixes, total 32 guns; with a complement, if all were on board, of 175 men and boys. The Espoir mounted the usual armament of her class, 16 carronades, 32-pounders, and two sixes, with 120 men and boys. The French frigate Cérès appears to have been of the same class as the Franco-Venetian frigate Carrère, captured in 1801, * and consequently carried 18-pounders : her total number of guns was at least 42, some accounts say 44, and her complement was about 350 men. The corvette was the Fama, mounting 28 or 30 guns, including 24 long 8, or, according to some accounts, long 12 pounders, with a crew of 260 men. The gun-boats on each side were armed much in the same manner ; each with a long 18 or 24 pounder.

At 8 h. 30 m. the Cyane and her consorts fired several broadsides at the French frigate and her consorts ; which fire the latter returned, and then stood in for the land. At 9 h. 40 m. a.m. the firing ceased ; and, on account of the distance at which it had been maintained, with no great effect on either side: the Cyane, however, had her main topgallant yard and some stays shot away. The British ship and brig continued all day cruising between Procida and the main, and at 9 p.m. reanchored off the island. On the same evening Procida surrendered without opposition ; as had Ischia in the morning, except a castle on the south-east point of the island, which made a demonstration of resistance, and did not capitulate till some days afterwards. On the night of the 25th, receiving intelligence that a flotilla of gunboats was on its way from Gaeta to the bay of Naples, Rear-admiral Martin detached in that direction the few Sicilian gunboats remaining with him.

On the 26th, at 6 h. 25 m. a.m., the Cyane, Espoir, and the British and Sicilian gun-boats in their company, having shortly before weighed, began engaging the French gun-boats, just as they were rounding the point of Baia. By his prompt and vigorous attack upon the gun-boats and batteries, Captain Staines checked the progress of the flotilla, and enabled the

See vol., iii., p. 96.

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