Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2019 with funding from Getty Research Institute https://archive.org/details/descriptionofvie00burf_26 Explanation of a View of the Bombardment of ST. .TEAM ®’AC»E, non Exhibiting at the PMOBAMA, LEICEITEB SUEARE. r*5T X" T->p - **> N ■^ c \. iX>«s ■y i,y r T ■-^y 3^ f* z — 1. The Castle 2. Mountains of Lebanon 3. Mount Richard Coeur de Lion 4. Mosque 5. Open space for stores, &c. 6. Explosion of Magazine 7. Round Battery 8. Sea gate 9. Old Mole in ruins { } V\^(K ‘O • v ' •'X. - * ) - L , ^ 1. V-f ^ f 'N 0 .vV *i.l ,i ~ x5 ^' / ct jpat? -=^|E vl . % tr ^ ms-si 10. Bay of Acre 11. Youssouf Aga (Col. Schultz, a Pole) wounded 12. The Traverse 13. Mookuddimay-i-hiveTui’kish Ship Rear Admiral Walker 14. The Wasp 15. The Benbow 16. The Edinburgh 17. The Hazard 18. Caipha 19. The Castor 20. The Carysfort 21. Mount Carmel 22. The Talbot 23. Sand-bag Battery r 24. The Guerrierro, Austrian Frigate, Arch-Duke Frederick 25. The Medea, Austrian Flag, Rear Admiral Bandiera 26. The Lipsia, Austrian Corvette 30. The Gorgon Steamer 34. The Powerful, Commodore Napier 27. The Stromboli Steamer 31. Turkish Corvette 35. The Princess Charlotte, Flag Ship, 28. The Vesuvius “ 32. Salient Angle Admiral Stopford 29. The Phoenix “ 33. The Revenge 36. The Thunderer 37. The Bellerophon 38. The Pique 39. The Traverse 40. Small Round Tower DESCRIPTION OF A VIEW OF THE BOMBARDMENT OF ST. JEAN D’ACRE, WITH THE CITY AND SURROUNDING COUNTRY, NOW EXHIBITING AT THE PANORAMA, LEICESTER SQUARE, PAINTED BY THE PROPRIETOR, ROBERT BURFORD, LONDON: PRINTED BY GEO. NICHOLS, EARL’S COURT, CRANBOURN STREET, LEICESTER SQUARE. 1841. ST. JEAN D’ACRE. The bombardment of St. Jean d’ A ere, be strongest fortress in Syria, is unquestionably the most important and brilliant of our recent naval achieve¬ ments—alike honourable to the genius and skill with which the plans were formed, and the science and fearless courage with which they were matured and executed ; altogether, presenting a most unanswerable and triumphant reply to those who have under-rated the present efficiency of the British Navy. Works that defied the talent of Buonaparte—that were impregnable to the vigorous attacks of an army of fierce republicans, led by the celebrated Kleber, and that held out for more than six months against the immense force of the Pacha of Egypt; although, at this time, from vast additions, more than double their former strength, yet, however formidable the batteries, numerous the guns, and ample the supply of ammunition, they could not withstand the determined, overwhelming, and irresistible assaults of the British, for more than three hours—a satisfactory proof that the same unflinching spirit, and undaunted intrepidity, animates our navy, that has for so many centuries given them the undisputed mastery of the sea. The events which preceded the attack on St. Jean d’Acre are too fresh in the recollection of all to need recapitulation. The capture of Sidon and Beyrout had not taught Mehemet Ali wisdom; he still obstinately refused the terms of the allied powers. It was, therefore, decided to reduce this, his last strong-hold, on the coast of Syria. On the 25th of October, 1840, the Turkish Admiral, Walker, with the Phoenix and Gorgon steamers, entered the bay, and proceeded to send a flag of truce to summon the town. Con¬ fident, however, in their strength, the flag was not received, and the boat conveying it threatened to be fired upon. On the 30th, despatches having been received from England, a council of war was held off Beyrout, and an immediate attack determined on. During the same evening and following morning, Omar Bey, with 2,000 Turks, was despatched by land, to occupy the pass of the White Mountain to the north of Acre, and the supernumary marines and artillery, under Major Higgins and Lieutenant Aldrich, together with 3,000 Turkish troops, under the Pacha Selim, embarked under the com¬ mand of General Sir C. F. Smith, R. E. on board the various ships. On the morning of Sunday, Nov. 1, the steam division arrived in the bay, and immediately commenced throwing shot and shells into the town, which must have annoyed the garrison very much, as, although they returned a very brisk fire, from the steamers constantly shifting their positions,Jit was harmless. On the following day, the firing was resumed at intervals, and returned; but, as before, without effecting any damage. During the day the Austrian and Turkish ships joined, and in the evening, Admiral Sir R. Stopford, with the British fleet, which had been detained by light winds, came to anchor in the bay. During the night soundings were taken, and buoys fixed, and at half-past nine, a.m. on the 3rd of November, the signal was made to weigh, but the wind for a considerable time was so light, that the ships were becalmed. At last a breeze sufficiently strong having sprung up from westward, a little before one the signal was made to bear up ; the way in which this manoeuvre was executed cannot be better described than in the gallant Admiral’s own words: “ The cool, steady, and beautiful style in which the ships and vessels, through shoals and banks, came into their positions, and the noble spirit that animated the whole, in the destructive fire opened and maintained, against a very smart return from the forts and batteries, were most gratifying, and drew forth my admiration, being enabled in the steamer to observe the simultaneous attack on both faces ;—each did his duty to my heart’s content.” The Admiral’s flag remained flying on board the Princess Charlotte, but Sir R. Stopford, together with Sir G. Smith, conducted the attack from on board the Phoenix steamer. Precisely at fifty minutes past one, the Phoenix fired the first shot, and the whole of the northern division having taken their positions, also commenced firing. At a quarter-past two, the batteries to the south opened a tremendous fire upon the Castor as she most gallantly, to the admiration 3 of the whole fleet, coolly took her station within 700 yards of the walls. The whole of this division having opened their fire, the action became general and the cannonading terrific. The Egyptians stood well to their guns, and displayed the greatest bravery and endurance ; their fire was most animated, and shot and shells fell in plenty, but did little execution ; the garrison, either from unskilfulness, or from having miscalculated the position the enemy were likely to take, did not point their guns with effect—the shot in general ranged ovei the vessels, occasionally wounding the masts and cutting the rigging; this was partially remedied at a later period, but even then, the ships were so constantly enveloped in a dense smoke that no correct aim could be taken. At twenty-five minutes past four, when the action was at its height, a most terrific explosion took place in the principal magazine and arsenal, in the south-east part of the town, spreading dismay and desolation in every direc¬ tion ; the dreadful crash was heard far above the tumult of the assault, and was immediately succeeded by a most awful pause ; the firing on both sides was suddenly suspended, and for a few minutes nothing broke the fearful silence but the echos of the mountains repeating the sound like the rumbling of distant thunder, and the occasional fall of some tottering building. The moment of the explosion is the precise time fixed on for the repre¬ sentation of this interesting and truly magnificent scene in the present Panorama. The city being nearly square, and standing on an extreme point of land, two of its sides are consequently open to the sea. At the junction of these two sides, forming a strongly fortified salient angle, the spectator is supposed to stand, thus commanding a view of the entire action in both directions ; the immediate foreground being occupied by the works of the Egyptians, who are seen intrepidly serving their guns, under the strong and incessant fire of the assailants—the effect of which is apparent in the half- demolished state of the embrasures. Immediately in front, forming the centre of attack, are the four steam vessels ; to the right, in succession, are the Revenge, Powerful, Princess Charlotte, Thunderer, Bellerophon, and Pique; to the left, commencing at the steamers, are the three Austrians; then the Talbot, Carysfoot, Castor, Hazard, Edinburgh, Benbow, Wasp, and lastly the Turkish Admiral, all presenting their broadsides against the devoted walls— the numerous guns throwing forth an incessant and most devastating fire. At the back of the spectator is seen a great portion of the city; the citadel, mosque, and minaret, the most prominent objects, just emerging from the smoke of the explosion, which is seen a little to the right, in all its awful sublimity, a perfect volcano. Farther to the right, is seen the whole expanse of the noble bay, as far as the town of Caipha, backed by the long range of the mountains of Carmel, and the snow-clad summits of Lebanon; altogether, a spectacle of no common interest or beauty. As the smoke of the explosion cleared away, the mosque and minaret became visible, and the Mahomedans, inspired with fresh courage, turned to their guns, and were the first to recommence the action. The firing, how¬ ever, from the southern battery soon became languid, but that from the northern was continued with great spirit, and was answered by the ships with renewed vigour. About five o’clock the Admiral made signal to discontinue the attack, which was immediately obeyed by the squadron to the south, but owing to the smoke it was not seen by the western division, which did not cease firing until nearly three-quarters of an hour after. Thus ended this brilliant and memorable affair; for, during the night, the Egyptians evacuated the city, which in the morning was taken possession of by the Turkish troops, accompanied by the Austrians and the British Marines. Thus fell this tremendous fortress, which has scarcely been over-rated by report as one of the strongest in the Mediterranean, and thus was a fatal and final blow struck to the Egyptian power in Syria. It is probable that but for the ex¬ plosion it might have held out a little longer, but it must have been a very short time. The chief Engineer, Youssouf Aga (Col. Shultz, a Pole) who conducted the defence, under Mahmoud Bey, the Governor, declares “ that 4 no men could possibly have stood longer to their guns in the batteries, under such a rapid and well directed fire.” To attempt to describe the scene of destruction and carnage which the town presented would be impossible. To use the words of the gallant Admiral: “ the incessant stream of fire from our guns, I found ongoinground the ramparts with Sir C. Smith, had torn and almost demolished many of the embrasures, and disabled the guns in such a manner, that it did appear ex¬ traordinary, that the garrison should have made so good a defence ; for the state of devastation was beyond description.” Scarcely a house was found habitable—shot and shells of every description fell like hail—the works were riddled in every direction, and almost every gun upset or rendered useless. The weight of shot thrown at a broadside by the squadron having been cal¬ culated to amount to at least 12,4341bs. very few of the guns being less than 32-pounders. The garrison is supposed to have been above 5,000, about 1,700 perished by the explosion, 300 were killed on the batteries, and 3000 prisoners were taken ; together with vast quantities of arms, ammunition, specie, pro¬ vision, and stores of every description. The following despatch from Admiral Sir R. Stopford, announcing the glorious event, was immediately forwarded by the Phoenix:— Princess Charlotte, off St. Jean d’Acre, Nov. 4, 1840, Sir, —You will be pleased to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that the town and fortress of Acre were taken possession of by the allied forces under my command this morning, in the name of the Sultan. The circumstances which led to this result occurred on the 3d, when a heavy cannonade from the ships and vessels, beginning at two p.m., and ending at five, completely demolished the town, and materially damaged the fortifications, inducing the Egyptians to evacuate the place in the night. A tremendous explosion of a large magazine of powder took place about four p.m. on the 3d. The attacks were made upon the west lines, and the south face of the works, the former composed of the following ships—viz., Princess Charlotte, Power¬ ful, Bellerophon, Revenge, Thunderer, and Pique, under the immediate command of Commodore Napier (as I thought it advisable to accompany Col. Sir Charles F. Smith in the Phoenix steamer, to be ready to take advantage of any breach that might be made in either of the two sea faces of the walls of the place, for an immediate assault). The south face being a more con¬ tracted anchorage, was occupied by the Edinburgh, Benbow, Castor, Carysfort, Talbot, Wasp, and Hazard. The destruction caused by the fire of the ships on both sides sufficiently proves its rapidity and precision. Rear-Admiral Baron de Bandiera, in the Austrian frigate Medea, and the Guerriere, under the command of his Imperial Highness the Archduke Frederick, with the Austrian corvette Lipsia, tendered much assistance. Rear-Admiral Walker Bey, in the Sultan’s ship Mookuddimay-i-hive, of 74 guns, took up a most favourable position opposed to the south face, and did good service. The steamers Gorgon, Vesuvius, Phoenix, and Slromboli, fired shot and shells into the town with much precision, and it is generally supposed that the shells from the Gorgon occasioned the destruction of the powder magazine. A Hag of truce having been offered by the Turkish Admiral and rejected a short time before, I did not think it necessary or becoming that the summons should be repeated, particularly as hostilities had already commenced, and the ships and steamers had been fired upon as they approached the walls. 1 have not been able to ascertain the number of troops in the town of Acre at the commencement of our fire ; they have been estimated at 4,500 besides a body of cavalry outside the town of 800: many lives were lost by the ex¬ plosion of the magazine ; 700 Egvptians and two officers of rank came in this morning with their arms, and surrendered themselves as prisoners. To Colonel Sir Charles Smith devolves the task of putting the town and fortifications into a posture of defence, and I am happy to find that his health enables him to perform this duty with his usual intelligence. A great quantity of arms and ammunition were found at Acre, and the 5 fortifications were fast getting into a state of preparation against attack. I am much indebted to Capt. Edward Boxer, of the Pique, and to Capt. Codrington, of the Talbot, for the excellent surveys which they made of the shoals round Acre, which enabled the ships to go in without the risk of getting ashore. I return a list of the killed and wounded in the allied squadron, but the damages to the masts and rigging can be made good without the ships being sent off the station. The success of this enterprise, so important in its results, has called for my acknowledgments in general orders to the officers and men of the combined squadrons, whose united exertions had so much contributed to its attainment. 1 have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) Robert Stopford, Admiral. R. More O’Ferrall, Esq., &c. Mr. Burford takes this opportunity of returning his sincere thanks to Capt. Stopford, for the very important and useful information, and various details he kindly furnished, also for his polite attention during the progress of the painting, to which he is mainly indebted for its accuracy. No city, perhaps, has experienced greater changes from political revolutions, and the calamities of war, than Acre. That it was always considered a place of importance, may be collected from the vicissitudes it has undergone, and the anxiety and perseverance with which it has been contended for by various powers. There appears but little doubt that it was the Accho of the Scriptures, Judges i. 31. One of the strongholds of which the Israelites could not dis¬ possess the Canaanites. At the partition of the Macedonian conquests, it was a place of great commercial importance, which, falling to the lot of Ptolemy, he enlarged and improved, and called it by his own name, which was in after¬ times changed to Acra from its strong fortifications. When the empire of Rome spread over Asia, it fell into their possession, and, in like manner, about 636 yielded to the Saracens, under Omar. The first chivalrous band of Crusaders that visited Asia, left Acre un¬ molested, but in 1104 Baldwin, King of Jerusalem, invested it with a large force, both by sea and land, and after a resolute defence of twenty days, forced it to a capitulation, the terms of which he violated, and the city was involved in rapine and carnage. In the hands of the Christians, Acre became flourishing and formidable, but was often the scene of licentiousness and perfidy. In 1187, Saladin having harassed the Crusaders, and diminished their resources, Acre opened her gates to him, but the Christians were soon again before the walls. Saladin came in person to its relief, but so powerful were the assailants, that he could not dislodge them. The city, however, held out, and this memorable siege was protracted for two years, at the frightful cost of 200,000 lives. The arrival of Richard I. of England, and Philip of France, with large reinforcements, compelled the besieged to capitulate, and Richard wreaked his vengeance on 3000 captives, who were led out into the plain and slaughtered. The city was then presented to the Knights of St. John, who erected numerous convents and churches, and named it St. Jean d’Acre. From this time it became the maritime capital of Syria, and was during a century the scene of many severe contests between the Cross and the Crescent. In 1271, Prince Edward, afterwards Edward I. landed here with alarge force, and here, it is said, he received the wound with a poisoned arrow, his recovery from which popular tradition has ascribed to tlie heroic devotedness of his wife, Eleanor, who is recorded to have sucked the poison from the wound. In 1291, Acre alone remained to the Christians of all their Syrian posses¬ sions, and from thence they were driven, during that year, by the Sultan Melee, with a force of 150,000 men—the Knights being nearly exterminated, and 60,000 victims having miserably perished, the town having been fired, and the fortifications levelled. From 1291 to 1517, it formed part of the Cali¬ phate, during which it sustained many severe sieges. It then passed with the last wreck of that once mighty power, into the hands of the Turks, fromwhich period it continued to decay. Maundrell, who visited it in 1696, speaks of it 6 as a place in complete ruin—having, for a short period only, recovered a little of its former prosperity under Fak’r-el-din, the celebrated Emir of the Druses. In 1749, the Bedouin Sheik Daher expelled the Turkish Aga, and made it for twenty years the capital of a territory independent of the Porte. By him it was much improved and strongly fortified ; although during that period it suffered severely, both by an earthquake and the plague, which destroyed nearly half the inhabitants. The celebrated Djezzar Pacha, named by him¬ self the Butcher, succeeded Daher; he rebuilt and beautified the town, ex¬ tended and strengthened the fortifications, and held it in open defiance of the Sultan. During his reign, in 1799, it was exposed to one of the most celebrated sieges of modern days, when it was invested by Buonaparte, at the head of a numerous and well appointed army, whose impetuosity had hereto¬ fore carried every thing before them. The defence was gallant and successful; the Turks, animated and assisted by the example and advice of Sir Sidney Smith, with a few British sailors and marines, repeatedly repulsed assaults made with the most desperate bravery, and made sallies that spread the most frightful carnage, finally compelling the French to retire, after a siege of sixty- one days. In 1822-3 the city again successfully held out against a large Turkish force for nine months. The last important siege was that by Ibrahim Pacha, in 1832, when the city held out five months and twenty-one days, against an immense army, and overwhelming artillery on land, and, towards the latter part, a considerable naval force at sea. The defence was nobly conducted by Abdalla Pacha, and a garrison of 5000 men, of whom, it is said, only 150 remained alive when the city surrendered. Most of the houses were destroyed—the mosques injured —and the minarets thrown down ; and thousands of persons buried beneath their ruins. The pillage was general, and the plunder most costly. From that time to the present, Mehemet Ali has bestowed great care and attention on Acre ; the fortifications have been greatly increased and much strength¬ ened, under the directions of the most able European engineers, and were pronounced, particularly on the land side, to be impregnable. The superiority of British tactics has proved the fallacy of such an assertion—the ill-fated city is again a scene of devastation and ruin. St. Jean d’Acre stands at the extremity of a considerable plain, on the north- oast side of a large bay, on a projection of land, so that the sea incloses above a third of its circuit. It has so often and so severely suffered by the assaults of its enemies, that it retains scarcely any traces of its ancient state;—the Saracenic remains are to be partially found in the walls, but the noble churches and monasteries of the Christians are altogether gone. The ruins spoken of by Maundrell, and even those described more recently by Dr. Clarke, have all disappeared ; some swept away by Djezzar Pacha—others destroyed by Ibrahim, Avho threw 35,000 shells into the city. A few marble and granite pillars only are seen ornamenting the most ordinary buildings. The modern city is of nearly a square form, presenting an angle to the sea, and is not much more than a mile and a half in circumference. The north¬ west side being a strongly fortified line, with circular bastions, erected on a sandy beach, about 1500 yards in length. The south-west face, from the angle to the old mole, about 950 yards, is erected on rocks ; these two sides presented 121 guns mounted, 42 not mounted, and 20 mortars of different calibre, the guns being brass and nearly new. The fortifications towards the land are extremely strong; part were erected by Djezzar Pacha, the remainder have been in progress since 1832, and are in some parts unfinished. At the extremity of the old mole is a water gate, and at the southern angle the only land gate of entrance. In the days of Djezzar, the city was esteemed very beautiful; the mosques, baths, and bazaars were splendid; many were destroyed in 1832, and have not again risen. The interior now presents that incongruous appearance of gaudy splendour and extreme wretchedness, so common in the cities of the East. The streets are very narrow, and the buildings generally are in a style more Turkish than Arabic. The Pacha’s palace is fine; the great mosque superb ; the private dwellings are mostly of stone, dilfering in size and plan, but invariably having flat roofs, forming terraces ; scarcely one is to be found that has not been pierced by balls, or broken and demolished by shells. Previous to 1832, the population was estimated at near 20,000—they have never been so numerous since. It is estimated that, before the bombardment, there might have been, exclusive of the garrison, six or seven thousand ;— many, however, left before the assault commenced, and many were buried under the falling buildings. EXPLANATION OP THE PLATE. 1.—Castle. A strong and almost impregnable place, surrounded by magazines and stores; from its great height it presents a good mark, but did not suffer much either in 1832, or at the present time. 2 m — Mountains of Lebanon. The noble range of the Lebanon, so celebrated in Scripture, extends from the Mediterranean to Arabia; the highest summits are covered with everlasting snow, but below they present many very fruitful vallies. The immense forests of cedar trees, for which the mountains were so famous, have all disappeared, about half a dozen finely grown and very ancient trees alone remain. 3.—Mount of Richard Cceur de Lion, So called from having been the site of Richard’s Camp when he beseiged Acre in 1191. It was also the commanding position from whence Buonaparte, whose head quarters were at Abuatby on the rise of the mountains, directed the assaults when the city was so gallantly defended by Sir Sidney Smith. On this hill, Napoleon, pointing to the city, said to Murat, “ The fate of the East depends on yonder petty town; its conquest will secure the main object of my expedition.” “ Had Acre,” said he afterwards, “ been taken, the French Army would have flown to Damascus and Aleppo ; in the twinkling of an eye they would have been on the Euphrates; I would have reached Constantinople and the Indies; I would have changed the face of the world.” The French cannon were planted within 300 feet of the north east and south east walls; the great breach was made in the former; eight times were the veteran sol¬ diers of the republic led by the bravest officers to the assault; eleven times they withstood the desperate sallies of the Mahomedans British Soldiers under Sir Sidney Smith came to the aid of the beseiged—t.he contending par¬ ties met in the breach—the ruins of the wall served as a breast work to both— the muskets of the English and French touched each other, and the spear heads of the standards were locked together; the bravest of Buonaparte’s Officers were killed, and the assailants completely foiled; he who was destined to overthrow almost every throne in Europe, was obliged to abandon the small City of Acre. —CSrand Mosque. The mosque erected by Djezzar Pacha, is a most beautiful building, wholly built with ancient materials brought from Cesarea. It is of square form, with a fine portico supported by columns ; the interior is adorned with columns and a gallery runs along the periphery, excepting on the eastern side, which is reserved for the Meliub and Tribune for the preacher. The whole is crowned by a fine dome. The building is lined with rare marbles and ara¬ besques, and the columns are of great beauty, but the ensemble is neither striking nor grand. The court is surrounded by a portico or gallery, with small cupolas resting on well formed pillars; the centre forms a garden, and has a fine fountain. The minaret, the only one remaining, is tall and hand¬ some ; both mosque and minaret suffered much from the many shots that struck them. 8 Cm —Explosion of Powder Magazine. At twenty-five minutes past four, this most awful explosion of the principal powder magazine in the arsenal took place; but whether it was occasioned by the well directed fall of one of our shells, from the carelessness of the garrison, or was the work of a traitor’s hand, can never he ascertained, neither is it known how many tons of powder it contained at the time. The scene was terrific in the extreme—even amidst the thundering of hundreds of cannon, the crash was clearly heard ; a mass of fire and smoke suddenly ascended like a volcano into the sky, immediately followed by a shower of materials of all kinds, that had been carried up by its force. The smoke rested for a few moments like an immense black dome, obscuring everything; as it cleared away the dreadful devastation became apparent:—about 1,700 souls were in a second of time hurled into eternity. Two entire regiments formed in position on the ramparts were annihilated, and every living creature within the area of 60,000 square yards ceased to exist. Fifty donkeys, three camels, twelve cows, and some horses were found dead. 9. —Ancient Mole. The old mole, projecting from the south western side of the city, is now entirely in ruins. It was between three and four hundred yards in length, terminated by a tower or light-house. There is also the lower portion of a strong square tower, possibly the remains of the celebrated Turris Muscaram, aptly called the shrine of Beelzebub, supposed by Herodotus to have been a light-house. Behind the mole is the port, a small hollow basin, capable of receiving only vessels of a very small size. The water gate at the head of the mole is strongly defended, and opens immediately into a large Khan ana bazaar. 10, —Bay of Acre. The noble bay extends in a semi-circle from the point on which the city stands to the promontory formed by Mount Carmel, a distance in a direct line of about nine miles. In fair weather it is a good roadstead for large vessels but in foul it affords no shelter, being open to the north-west winds, which blow violently on the coast, and having numerous shoals and sand banks in all parts. Large vessels generally frequent the road of Caipha, a good anchorage near the bottom of the bay, where the river Kislion enters the sea. SOUTH DIVISION. 13.—Mookuddimay-i-hive. Turkish Ship—74 Guns.— Rear Admiral Walker. 4 killed, 3 wounded. The early part of Mr. Baldwin Wake Walker’s career was passed on board the Menai. In 1820, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and served as senior Lieut, of the Etna bomb, at the taking of Mora Castle ana Patras, in 1828; afterwards as first Lieut, of the Barham. In 1834, was promoted to the rank of Commander, and served in the Vanguard. In 1838, Captain Walker was raised to the rank of Post Captain, and entered the Turkish navy to discipline the fleet; he served on board the ship of the Capitan Pacha, but quitted her before the fleet was surrendered to Mehemet Ali. The capture of Acre has raised him to the highest rank of naval merit in the service of the Sultan, with the title of Pacha, to which his services on that occasion most justly entitle him. 14.—Wasp. Brig.—16 Guns.— Commander Mansel. 5 seamen and 1 royal marine wounded severely. Foremast severely struck and disabled ; obliged to be sent to Malta to refit. 9 15.—Benbow. 72 Guns.— Cattain Stewart. Was severely struck by a fourteen pound shot in the hull, hut fortunately not a man was either killed or wounded. 16.—Edinburgh. 72 Guns.— Captain Henderson. Had her mizen mast shot through, by which Commander Hastings, Mr. Davis, master, Mr. J. Plimsoll, assistant surgeon, and midshipman H. Boys, were slightly wounded, together with one seaman, one serjeant of the royal marines, and one boy. Two seamen, one royal marine, and one drummer were killed. 17. —Hazard. Sloop.—18 Guns.— Commander The Hon. C. Elliot. One royal marine and one hoy slightly wounded. Mizen mast severely struck. 18. —Caipha. The ancient Calamon, a small walled town, with a fort, mounting a few guns, having a population of about 1000. It forms the opposite extremity of the bay to Acre, having a vast and well cultivated plain between. It possesses a small pier, and the best harbour along the coast; there is also an hospice maintained by the monks of Mount Carmel, where strangers of all nations and religions are lodged and entertained. Near Caipha, the river Kishon, celebrated in Scripture, Judges v. 21, now called Nahr-el-Mukutta, which rises near Jesrael, traversing the plain of Esraeldon, round the vast base of Carmel, enters the sea. At a short distance is also the river Belus, called also Pagida, celebrated by Pliny as furnishing the earth from which glass was first made. 19. —Castor. Frigate.—36 Guns.— Captain Collier. The heavy fire from the batteries during the time the Castor was taking her position, did considerable damage ; her bowsprit was severely struck; her masts and spars wounded or shot away, and her rigging so much cut, that she was obliged to go to Malta to refit. Subsequently to the engagement, Captain Collier had the misfortune to have his leg fractured, and received other hurts from an explosion of shells, in a magazine in the town on the 6th, by which many persons were killed. Four seamen killed. One seaman and two royal marines severely, and one royal marine slightly wounded. 3©.—Carysfort. 26 Guns, heavy 32 pounders.— Captain Martin. None killed nor wounded. 31.—Mount Carmel. The most remarkable headland on the coast, terminating a long range of hills rising abruptly from the sea, and extending eastward about seven leagues, traversing Judea to the plains of Jesrael; named Carmel, from their great fertility:— “ And Carmel’s flowery top perfumes the sky.”— Pope. On the lower portions of the north east side, there are still many olive grounds and vineyards, and the sides to a considerable height are clothed with bushes, wild vines, and odoriferous herbs, that sufficiently bespeak the natural fertility of the soil, and realize the poetical descriptions of the inspired wri¬ ters, but the “ excellency of Carmel” is no more. It is most probable that it was on the eastern side near the river, that the people were assembled when 10 Ahab “ Gathered all Israel unto Mount Carmel,” 1 Kings xviii. 19, and where the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice which Elijah had prepared ; a situation admirably chosen for the display of the wondrous mira¬ cle, for to the people assembled on the plain of Esdraeldon, and even on the hills of Samaria, and Gilboa, the whole must have been distinctly visible. The name of Mount Carmel is given to that portion which rises immediately above the Town of Caipha, the height of which Buckingham estimates to be 1500 feet. Carmel was also the name of a city situated on the mountain, where there was a temple to some heathen deity, in which Pythagoras spent a good deal of his time. Carmelite Convent. Mount Carmel was at a very early period resorted to by pious recluses, from its sanctity, in having given shelter of old to the Prophets Elijah and Elisha, who both dwelt there several years. When the first convent or house of refuge was erected is not known, but the chapel dedicated to the holy virgin, is said to have been erected in honour of her, according to tradition in the year 83. The order of bare-footed Carmelites take their name from it, and profess to be descended in uninterrupted succession from Elijah, Elisha, and the children of the prophets. The old convent, a very large building, was destroyed, with the exception of the cave of the Prophet Elijah, in 1821. In the early part of the Greek revolution, Abdalla, Pacha of Acre, accused the monks of af¬ fording protection to these unfortunate people, and on this pretext, or probably rather that they should not get possession, and turn it into a fortress, he forced out the monks, razed the convent to the very foundations, and carried off the materials to Acre for his own use. In 1827 the Carmelites obtained a firman, allowing them to rebuild, by the aid of funds collected in Europe and Asia, but from various difficulties the works are still in an unfinished state. The convent is of white stone of great solidity, and immense size, presenting the appearance of a considerable fortress; the church dedicated to the virgin is a very beautiful structure, surmounted by a fine dome. The great altar stands directly over the cavern, which is fifteen feet by twelve, said to have been the retreat of the Prophet Elijah to avoid the persecutions of Ahab and Jezebel, and where he prayed so earnestly for rain. At a short distance is also the cavern of Elisha, to which the Shunamite came, to implore the Prophet to raise her dead son. The name of Elijah being equally venerated by both Christians and Moslems; there are many caverns on the mount connected with his history, that are inhabited by Mahomedan saints, particularly one near the river called the School of Elijah. 22.—Talbot. 28 Guns, 32 pounders corronades.— Captain Codrington. Lieut. G. B. LeMesurier killed. Mr. H. Haswell, mate, wounded slightly, and one seaman wounded severely. 2A,— Guerriero. Austrian Frigate, 46 Guns.—H. I. H.The Archduke Frederick. One killed, two wounded. 25. —Medea. Austrian Flag Ship, GO Guns.— Rear Admiral Bandiera. One killed, four wounded. 26. —Lipsia. Austrian Corvette, 20 Guns.-«Nono killed nor wounded. 11 STEAM SHIPS, 27.—Stromboli. 2 Guns, 4 mortars.—C ommander W. Williams. It is rather remarkable that not one of the four steam ships had a single man either killed or wounded. 28-—Vesuvius. 2 Guns, 4 Mortars.— Commander Henderson. Although the steam ships are represented, as they actually were at the time, occupying the centre of the attacking squadron, all together; they did not long remain so; they continually shifted their positions, and threw in shot and shells whenever they saw the most effectual points for doing execution. 29. —Phoenix. 2 Guns, 2 Mortars.— Commr, Stoppord. Admiral Sir R. Stopford directed the whole of the operations from the deck of the Phoenix, the vessel continually shifting her position, as circum¬ stances required. The gallant Admiral displayed throughout the greatest coolness of demeanour, and the most daring and unshaken courage. The Phoenix left the morning after the engagement, with despatches for England. 30. —Gorgon. 2 large Guns, 4 Mortars. — Capt. Henderson. It was supposed to have been a shell fired from the Gorgon that caused the explosion of the powder magazine. 32.—Salient Angle. The angle is defended by nine guns of large size, the batteries are formed of sand bags, and there are traverses of fascines and sand on either side, to prevent the enemies shot from enfilading the works. To the right is a case- mated battery, the only one in the fortifications. The same state of ruin and devastation on the angle, was to be seen throughout the works: “Those,” says Sir C. Smith, “ who may have been inclined to doubt the fighting qualities of the Egyptian troops might acquire a lesson from the example of their endurance, if they could but contemplate the devastation and scene of horror by which this once formidable fortress is enshrouded.” NORTH WEST DIVISION. 33.—Revenge. 76 Guns.— Capt. Waldegrave. The fore top gallant yard arm shot away, and is seen hanging by the rig¬ ging. 1 seaman, 1 drummer, killed ; 3 seamen wounded severely, 1 royal marine slightly. The revenge in the early part of the action remained under weigh as a reserve, about 3 o’clock she joined, and took an admirable position next to the Powerful. 3^:.—Powerful. 84 Guns.— Commodore Napier. Rigging very much cut. Is in the act of sending down her main top gallant yard. 1 seaman wounded severely, 2 seamen, and 1 royal marine slightly, Commodore Napier has the character of being one of the most brave and daring of the officers in Her Majesty’s navy; he was promoted in 1808, for chasing in the Recruit Brig three French line of Battle Ships for 24 hours. At the siege of Martinique, he with five sailors scaled the walls of Fort Edward in open day, and planted the union jack upon the ramparts, within range ef 12 the guns of Fort Bourbon. lie served as a volunteer with the army in Por¬ tugal, and commanded the Thames in the Mediterranean, where he captured the Island of Ponza without the loss of a man, also many and very rich prizes. In America his courage was the admiration of all, and the signal victory he gained in 1833, when he commanded the fleet of Don Pedro, by boarding and capturing the large and powerful fleet of Don Miguel, will not soon be for¬ gotten. 35.—Princess Charlotte. 104 Guns. —Captain Fanshawe. Bearing the flag of Admiral Sir Robert Stopford, commander in chief. Rigging very much cut. 1 seaman killed—said to have fired 4,400 shots.— Admiral Sir Robert Stopford, G.C.B. is now in his 73rd year, nearly the whole of his life has been devoted to his country, and during the major part he has been in actual service. He entered the navy at an early age, and served with Rear Admiral Digby on the American station. In 1790, he obtained post rank, and commanded the Lowestoffe in the channel. In 1794 he commanded the Aquillon, in Lord Howe’s celebrated victory of the 1st of June. In 1795 he formed part of the escort of the Princess Caroline of Brunswick to England, and was afterwards with Admiral Cornwallis’s fleet, where he did good service. In 1798 in the Phgeton he cruised with Sir J. B. Warren, and took many prizes. In 1799 Captain Stopford was appointed to the Excellent, and returned from the Leeward Islands with a broad pendant in 1802. In 1804 he was with Nelson in the Mediterranean, and in the following year was ap¬ pointed to a colonelcy of marines. In 1806 was wounded in Sir J. Duckworth’s victory off St. Domingo, and was also in the expedition against Copenhagen. In 1808 having obtained the rank of Rear Admiral, he was appointed to a command in the channel fleet, where for his services he received a vote of thanks from Parliament. In 1810 he commanded a squadron at the Cape, and a second time received a vote of thanks for services at Java. In 1812 ho be¬ came Vice-Admiral, and has since been made Admiral of the red, and G.C.B. and has had the command of the Mediterranean fleet. Admiral Stopford speaks in the highest terms in his despatch of the 8th, of the able manner in which Capt. Fanshawe fulfilled his trust, in conducting the flag ship during his absence, and of the great service be had been in the pre¬ vious details and arrangements on this and former occasions. 36.—Thunderer. 84 Guns.— Captain Berkeley, None killed nor wounded. 37.—Bellerophon. 80 Guns— Captain Austen. Received a shot through the upper deck. None killed nor wounded. 38.—Pique. 36 Guns.— Captain Boxer. The Pique i3 said to have fired during the engagement no less than 14033 lbs. of powder, and 62908 lbs. of iron shot. None killed nor wounded. IN THE LOWER CIRCLE IS NOW OPEN A SPLENDID VIEW OF DAMASCUS, ADMISSION ONE SHILLING. Geo. Nichols, Printer, Earl’s Court, Soho. I ,# s ' r ■ '• '-4 > . ; .