The National Register.
London, England, 1809-04-23 00:00:00

APRIL 23.

so much effort, and so much success, the general issue
would have been verfdifferent,-and Europe would not have
to reckon so many Nations subdued, 'and so many millions

extirpated.
The attack on the Brest Fleet was made on the llth of
April, at eight o'clock in the evening. The attacking
squadron, as it would appear by the Gazette, for this offi-
cial narrative is in some degree confused, consisted of two
divisions,--the covering squadron of Lord COCURANE, and
he fire-ships led on by Capt. WootnninGE, in the Mediator.
The Wind blowing from the Northward impelled them, of
coarse on the enemy,who were anchored to the Southward,
and the freshness of it, together with the consequent heavy
sea, gave a momentum to the Mediator, which enabled it
to break the boom, or chain, by which the approach to the
enemy's fleet was defended. The French forts and shipping
opposed the assault by a very heavy fire, but the bravery
of the British seamen overcame all obstacles, and compelled
the enemy to run. their vessels on shore.—Seven of their
vessels accordingly grounded, five of which, however, got
into the Charente before day-light.
On the following day, the 12th, about two o'clock, Lord
CocKaANE led the attack in the lmperieuse, and opened
his fire on the Calcutta, which very speedily struck her
colours ; the Yille de Varsovie and the Aquilon, were then
successively attacked, and successively surrendered. The
prisoners were removed, and they were set on fire. The
enemy themselves destroyed the Tonnerre, seeing it impos-
sible to save it. The Vile de Varsovie was a 80 gun, the
Tonnerre a 64, the Aquillon a 74, and the Calcutta a 56.
On the night of the 12th another attempt was made to
fire the *ships on shore, but from the shallowness of the
water it was deemed more prudent to abandon it. The
vessels likewise which had escaped into the Charente, were
separated beyond the reach of present attack.
The Gazette here concludes with a well merited compli.
ment to Lord Cocriamsc, who certainly seems to be tread-
ing in the steps of the lamented NELSON, and who, if Pro-
vidence shall preserve his life, will doubtless obtain the
same eminence of glory and reputation. It is truly conso-
latory to the feelings of the country, that in times Of such
:peril and difficulty heaven seems to have given us men,
suited to the occasion. There is no languor, no reluctance;
no despair of the public cause, either in our fleets or in out
armies ; our soldiers and sailors go forth in the full assur-
ance of victory, and this laudable assurance, this noble
confidence, enables them to accomplish their expectations.
Long may this spirit continue, for so long will otir country
not only be safe, but glorious.
The result of this glorious affair therefore is, that the
lii-est fleet has disappeared from the surface of the. seas ;
fir:: sail have been destroyed, three driven on shore, and
the commander of the fleet compelled to run into the Cha-
rente, which is certainly not either a safe or a' favourable
station, or .it would have been taken before. The wit&
of our losi consists of two officers and eight men kilted, and
sixteen officers and two men wounded.
The accounts were brought to the Admiralty by Sir
HENRY B. NzaLE, the first Captain of Lord GA.151111E12.
The intelligence was. immediately communicated to the
Loan MA von, and through him to the Public. •
The Park and Tower guns were fired at five o'clock, and
at night-fall the Public Buildings, the Horse Guards, Trea-
sury, Foreign Office in Downing-street; Somerset Douse,
and all the other Public Offices, were brilliantly *llluminata.