The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1804-10-22 00:00:00

DEFENCE OF THE THAMES.

It has long been known that a cot don was drawn
across the 1 Names, below Gravesend, to protect the
metropolis from any attack by sea.; for which pur-
pose the patriotic offer of the Trinity House Volun-
teer Corp of Artillery was accepted by govern-
ment, and ten frigates were lent, to he officered and
manned by them; hut it has not been generally un-
derstood, that (besides them) the corps had, under
their diteflion. a second cordon, which, though
inferior in m ignitude to the former, is neverthe-
less eery formidable, and well adapted to take a
second, perhaps (in some cases) a prominent
charadler in preventing the enemy'. approach.
This secondary cordon is composed of armed
hors belonging to the East India Company,
who are ever foremost in proving their attachment
to their King and Country, and whose Offn:ers
have, in a recent instance, shewit a proud example
rat /init.), valour M.my circumstance. have Fre-
smog this cordon from making its appearance in
the Hope; bat a. favourable opportunity occiti ring,
they anchored there last Saturday in th..! rrcenont .
and were mortised in preparatory maniroyi es 13,1: in,;
that day. Atter divine service yesterday se'tiniglit
the cordon (composed of nine boys, mounting, eac",
four 12 pounder carronadi s, with the Trinity House
and East-India Company's colours flying) weighed
by signal, and proceeded do. n the river in line of
battle a-head; the Trinity buoy yacht, and Li-
berty tender attending. They advanced (as against
an enemy) till nearly abreast the Hope Point, when
a signal being made from the Trinity Yacht (Iring
at anchor near the Vs vs shore), the line divided,
and proceeded up the river n two divisions, repre-
senting a British and an enemy's squadron. 'ln a
short time the spedators (who conk' only under-
stand the meaning of the signals by the manouvres)
were gratified with a view of heavy and continued
cannonade between the hostile squadrons in their
pansage.up the river, firing their earremacles with
•.
stoat spent and precision, till the wind falling, they
Wire not able to take their anchoring till the close
of the evening.
On Monday morning they were again manoeu-
vred, and, though this and the former days were
their first essays, they went through every opera-
, lion in the greatest order, and presented a most
interesting and exadt idea of the different move-
ments of hostile fleets. Monday afternoon they
again weighed by signal, and after some previous
movements formed in a line of battle a-head. On
a signal being made, they proceeded op the river,
and crossing on different tacks, they opened their
retreating fire, as if engaging a superior enemy, till
they reached their anchorage under ptoteftion of
the tirst torsion. Tuesday morning they were solely
employed in manoeuvres ; and the promptitude with
which each signal was obe7eJ, and every move-
ment executed, did great credit to the Command-
c-s of them. On a particular signal being made,
they separated from the fleet, and proceeded up the
river (cheering the ships as they passed), to Long.
reach. At eleven o'clock in the forenoon, the yards
of all the frigates were manned, in compliment to
some Officer of distineion (we believe Uent.-Col.
Cotton), who had direccied the manoeuvres from the
Trinity Yacht, and the men cheered from the yards.
Thus ended a view, which was rendered ex-
tremely interesting from its novelty, as well as its
of the many at d almost
opposed to the enemy's
r. accidents enable them
vulnerable point of attack.
-tinints .if the united corps,
with the uncommonly
, beauty of the scene,
the exulting breast of a
his gallant countrymen.

I.
d

presenting an adequate idea of
insurmountable obstacles opF
progress, should unforeseen
to reach this (hitherto) vulne
The various ensigns and colon
streaming in the air. together
fine weather, heightened the
and added another proof to d
Esiwn, of do: unanimity of hi
lIIIMin