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Destruction of Pirates



By a letter from H.M.S. Agincourt, dated Manila, 3rd September, we learn that the squadron, consisting of the Agincourt, Vestal, Daedalus, Cruiser, Wolverine, Vixen, Pluto, and Nemesis, had attacked, at Malloodoo Bay, the pirate chief Seriff Housman. The boats of the squadron succeeded in taking his forts, being three in number, and mounting altogether fifteen guns; they destroyed his town, and all the goods they came across. The boats were under the fire of the batteries, while forcing the boom, for upwards of fifty minutes at little more than two hundred yards distance. Our loss was six killed and fifteen wounded - two of the latter since dead.

Mr. Pym, of the Vestal, was wounded in the back part of the thigh by a grape shot, but not dangerously. Gibbard, a mate of the Wolverine; was killed. The loss in the Agincourt alone was four killed and six wounded. The loss of the enemy could not be ascertained, as they carried the bodies immediately into the jungle, but it must have been immense. Two Arab chiefs are known to have been killed, and Seriff Housman himself to have been carried off the field, severely wounded in the neck. The squadron were to sail for Hongkong from Manila the day after, namely, the 4th Sept. Port Phillip Herald, December 11.

SG & SGTL 20 Dec 1845

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