The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1805-10-19 00:00:00

RAMSGATE, OCT. 16.

This place has been a scene of the utmost hestle
and preparation the whi.le morning. in consequence
of orders received by the Ist light battalion of the
German Legion, which came in on Friday last, to
embark instantly, and sail for the Downs this even-
ing, if possible. Every street and avenue has, of
course, been crowded with the men running to and
fro in the greatest hurry, with trunks. &e. till one
o'clock, when the first company marched down to
the pier, cheered by the martial music cf their ex-
cellent band. The transports having been previously
arranged in the best order to receive them, no delay
took plc e. It began to rail very heavily at the
commencement of the embarkation, which must
make the men uncomfortable. and has chagrined a
large assemblage, anxious to shew them every atten-
tion on their departure. The rain tell so heavily,
that the concourse attraaed by the novelty of such
a scene, was obliged to disperse, and seek shelter in
every direltion. Altho' the inclemency of the weather
was dispiriting in many respells, yet the greatest hi-
larity seemed to pervade the ranks, both in march-
ing and embarking. The 2d battalion, which left
Margate this morning, cheered themselves with sing-
ing God sew the King," the whole 'var. Having
arrived, at two o'clock, they also embarked in alter-
nate
companies; each preceded by music. The num.
her pat on board amounted to 1,400. As the trans-
ports „ere very large three.masted vessels, seven were
sufficient tor their reception. Much t• the credit of
those-appointed toarr ange nava perinted the embark-
ation, everycare has been taken to make the accommo-
datior, is comfortable ascircurnstances would permit.
The ban lions of the line are espeaed in here to-
morrow, for whom there are transports in readiness;
and on the succeeding days, the cavalry aad corps of
artillery are also to ge on board. There are various
conjeaures respeaing the destination of Moe troops,
which it would be preposterous to mention; but cer-
tain it is, that the ()Akers do not think they are to
mil in the first instance for Hanaver. In order to
afford every comfort and f.cility for then troops to
embark, the 13th Light Dragon .s. quartered here,
are setting out for a few days, hi detachments, to
Sandwich, Margate, and the adjacent villages. As
I have already observed, it is the intention to sail
for the Downs, if wind and weather permit, this
evening; but cannot say whether these wishes shall
be effeCted. as the Post will not serve. Lord Keith,
G.neral Achmuty, Colonel Head. and oche! Offi-
cers, are very active in forwarding the embarkation.
It is now fuer o'clock, and, much to the gratifica-
tioa of all, the rain is much lighter, and the clouds
are dispersed : so that the most sanguine hope is en-
tertained that the evening wall be fair.
P.S. Half-put Foar.—At a little past four, being
Serod tide, and wind at East, the transport '252
weighed anchor, and got out, amidst general and
long-continued acclamations, both on deck and
abort.

DEAL. OCTOitt 16.

CURIOUS FXr: RIMENT.

(nether ul, rs. )
Qss monday morning, Mr. Francis, who last year
contrived the expedition, and construßed the. ma-
chires which Sir Horne Popham sent among the
enemy's flotilla at Boulogne, arrived here from Do-
er ; and a rumour was soon spread that he was go-
ing to make an experiment, tc blow up a brig of SOD
toss, with one of his new invented catamarans. Cu-
riosity Was soon alive, and about font, p. w. great
crowds of people assembled ou the beach, from Deal
to Walmer Castle, opposite which the brig lay. I
saw several people working about her, and flinch
movement of boats, but, till dark, the brig remained
unhurt, and the people, much dis: -.pointed, thinking
the experiment had failed, very liberally cursed
Mr. Fra leis and his catamarans. On Tuesday,
however, about three, p. m. he again appeared on
the beach, where 1 and only a few, whose cu-
riosity had not abated, were assembled ; we fol-
lowed him to the water's edge, opposite Weimer
Castle, where he was met by a lady, who, I was
told, was Lady Esther Stanhope, and niece to Mr.
Pitt. After walking some time, he tied a white
pocket-handkerchief to the end of his cane, and
made a signal to the brig, which lay about half a
male fr m shote, and instantly a long ten-oared gal-
ley dart'd by the bow of the brig, and threw some-
thing into the water, which I presume was the cata-
maran. Mr Francis then drew out his watch, and
turning to the lady, I beard him say, " 15 minutes is
her time." I was now all anxiety for the, result, and
held my watch, counting the minutes. In 16 minutes
the explosion took place, not much louder than that
of a four-pounder ; an immense column of water
and smoke was thrown up, which almost ohacur-
sd the vessel : she appeared to be lifted out of the
water, and heeling to larboard, she separated in the
middle, and the two en.ls immediately went to the
bottom ; in one minute, nothing was to be seen of
.t but morsels of floating wreck ; the sight was the
most awl ill and grand I ever witnessed. She was rid-
ing at anchor, sails bent, new painted, and seemingly
prepared fora voyage ; ar.d,as if by a crush of nature,
in one minute she diviep•ared, and went to the bot-
tom. I'he wreck was quickly sort °untied by the boats
of the curios', and I, among othei s, went to view her
remains. Her fore-castle and main-deck were float-
ing, she was broken completely in two, the planks
at her deck and sides were split in thousands of
• pieces, the fore-mast was broken in two, the main-
mast and pump were blown oat of her, mad the main-
top... Lit-yard was blown unto the cross trees ; bee
knees were torn from her sides, and the beams of the
deck broke in several places; in faff, it is impossible
to describe a more complete decomposition of a
vessel, or a more dreadful crash of materials.—
It was, perhaps, one of the most curious experi-
ments which has been made in mod- rn times ; for
who would not have crincluded, that the powder
would spend its fore on the water, ts bid; is move-
able. and not pass through the strong-framed bot-
torn of a vessel ? Why was the report i
explosioo so inconsiderable, when the tied was
SI great?
ti is said, Mr. Francis is a celebrated foreigner,
who is into,. in this country ; he is a tall, genteel
man, alert thirty, speaks ge•ssl bitchy), with rather
lEmarAlpite *Hui, a,,d is reth up, a Hanover:an.
• emmeeees---oei-eo,ma

' —, from 131 idol, for Dub-
is- taw d.
144;
-