14 MHMOIli. 



1840. — The ' Bellerophon ' had a fine smart ship's company, 

 but she was in a wretched state of discipline. On Christmas 

 Day, as we were lying at anchor with the rest of the squadron 

 at Vourla, the whole ship's company were drunk, and the noise 

 of the revelry was so great that the admiral, though lying half a 

 mile off and more, made a signal for the ' Bellerophon ' " to make 

 less noise" as it disturbed the whole fleet. 



In May we were sent to Naples. Our Government had some 

 dispute with the king relating to the sulphur trade, and we ran 

 into the Bay of Naples, with our guns loaded and double-shotted, 

 threatening to bombard the town. This not taking effect, we 

 went out again, and blockaded the port. We had the assistance 

 of the ' Hydra ' steamer, and we captured a great number of Nea- 

 politan ships and sent them as prizes to Malta. One day, while 

 we were on this service, we spied a little brig, hull down, on the 

 horizon.. We immediately gave chase. As soon as the brig saw 

 that she was chased she altered course and made all sail to 

 escape. She sailed very well, and we observed that she was also 

 much better handled than the other Italian traders that we had 

 previously taken. It was a whole forenoon before we came within 

 range of her, and then we fired a shot across her bows. The only 

 effect it had was to make her run up her white Neapolitan ensign 

 as if in defiance. The chase still continued, and we repeatedly 

 fired at and over her, till at length, as we rapidly closed with 

 her, she reluctantly shortened sail and hove to. At this time 

 our ship was bowling along under an immense cloud of canvas, 

 and we swooped down upon the little brig like a gigantic eagle 

 upon a partridge. We were cracking on stu'nsails alow and 



