The Austrian goelette Merope captured by pirates according to the Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 18 February 1823

Smyrna, 24 December 1822. The Austrian goelette Merope master Jovanovich was 12 October anchored off Ecarnania near Missolunghi. Her crew was on shore for ballast when 4 persons boarded the ship killing the master, a sailor and the ship-boy. The other crewmembers heard the pistol shots and went with the boat to the ships being attacked by some more thieves who were hidden. They killed the second master, brother of Jovanovich while one sailor was wounded. The survivors fled to Missolunghi where they told the Greek Marizza what happened. Although he was an agent of France and some other European stated he did not helped them but was responsible that the crewmembers were thrown in the prison while he take the goelette in possession. Marizza departed with his family and other Greeks and hoisted the French flag. The Austrian frigate la Lipsia general marquis de Paulucci who was in the waters of Sapiences and was underway towards Trieste changed his course and went to Missolunghi and managed to take Marizza prisoner.