| On October 11th, the Bacchante, 38, Captain William Hoste, arrived off Ragusa, and was joined by the Saracen, 18, Commander John Harper, and by three gunboats, with a detachment of troops from the garrison of the island of Curzola. Learning from Harper that the inhabitants were in revolt to the southward, Hoste proceeded at once for Castelnuovo, in the Bocche di Cattaro. On the 12th, the Bacchante and Saracen forced the passage, and, after some firing, secured a capital anchorage about three miles above the town. At 10 P.M. that day, Hoste detached Harper with two gunboats (Sicilian), the launch and barge of the Bacchante, and the boats of the Saracen, to seize such naval force as was lying off the town of Cattaro. The expedition was heavily fired at as it passed the island of San Giorgio; but at midnight, when the enemy\'s four gunboats were encountered, they were found to be in a state of revolt, and were easily taken possession of. Harper landed near Cattaro, and summoned the inhabitants to rise against the French. They did so gladly, and armed themselves, whereupon Harper, having manned his prizes, moved down to attack San Giorgio. Early on the 13th, Lieutenant Francis Gostling, commanding the gunboats, opened fire upon the island batteries, which replied; but, in a quarter of an hour, the French deserted their guns, and eventually they surrendered. |