HMS WEAZLE AT CORFU
TESTIMONY OF CAPTAIN JOHN CLAVELL - THE EVENTS OF 23rd - 24th AUGUST 1807
Manchester Square
1st June 1823
Dear Sir
I am very glad of the opportunity of bearing Testimony to the Services which you rendered your Country when on the staff in the Russian Service and holding an appointment of second Surgeon at the naval hospital at Corfu, when that island by secret treaty, and the Treachery of the Russians was given up to the French.
My having left it only a few days before in the possession of the Russian Forces; when on my return from Venice, I could not be supposed to have known that the island was so circumstanced; in consequence of my having been charged with dispatches of great moment, and it falling calm, when within eight miles of the anchorage, I left the Weazle in a small gig, landed, and was on the steps of the house of Mr Foresti, the British Resident, and in the act of opening the door, when a person ran up to one and said, that the French had possession of the island and that the General and his officers were then at dinner, it being about eight o'clock in the evening, Mr Foresti having made his escape.
My anxiety was naturally led to the safety of His Majesty's sloop Weazle, then under my command and I was fortunate in making my escape, but the Weazle must have inevitably fallen into the enemy's hands had not you at the risk of your life gone off and apprised the Commanding officer of the situation of Corfu, and from the information you gave me on my return onboard. I sunk three privateers, captured a Gun Boat with eight transports under convoy, having all onboard between four and five hundred officers and soldiers bound Corfu, the whole of which I carried to Malta.
Your services will never be forgotten by me and if you think this statement will be of any service, you are at liberty to make use of it as you please.
I am, Dear Sir,
Your faithful servant
(signed) John Clavell
To:
James Hall
Surgeon R.N.
EXTRACT FROM LOG of HMS WEAZLE – 23rd - 24th AUGUST 1807
Sunday 23rd
P.M. Moderate bze and fine W. All sails set at 4. At 5 fresh bze and Cloudy. running through the N passage into Corfu. Split the Main Top Glnt sail. At Sunset the harbour of Corfu SW by S 5 or 6 miles. at 7 calm, out boat and pulled away fro the town. at 8.30 rc'd information from Mr Kirk Consul, by Mr Hall of the Russian Navy, of the garrison being in possession of the French, made signals to the boat and repeated them all xx Guns, at 10 boat ret. Up anchor and all possible sail for the North passage
Monday 24th
AM. Light airs and var'ble, all possible sails set. Tack'd and trimmed sails occasionally. At 3.30 Obs'd 8 small vessels working in between Corfu and rocks, supposing them to be the Trebocalas with French troops, fired a shot at them, which was returned by one of them, fired a number of shots at ditto but a heavy swell setting in from the Northw'd was unable to prevent them running on shore amongst the rock, where they must have been much damaged and observed 3 others without the rocks. Made sail for them; at 5 fired 2 shot at ditto and captured them with 240 (?) French soldiers on board. Took them in tow and made sail to the Northw'd
PM. Light airs and var'ble, 1 of the vessels being very old and small took the French troops out of her and put them on board one of the others. Took out a Colonel and his family with sev'l other officers and all their arms and ammunition. A 3. Obs several small other vessels supposed to be French, made all possible sail and hoisted French Colours and cleared for Action. At 5 obs'd one hoist French Colours, fired several shots at her and an Imperial Brig. At 5.10 boarded the Frenchman, took a Courier with his Dispatches and a Captain with 20 Soldiers and burned the vessel, warned the Imperial Brig off Corfu and the 7 islands. At 10 Calm and employ'd at the sweeps to keep clear of the tow.
Weazle, with her tow, set sail for Malta.
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