Star.
London, England, 1808-03-25 00:00:00

GIBRALTAR, FEB. 19.

Our Governor has received information of two
French frigates being In a small bay in the neigh-
bourhood of Tangiers, waiting for a favourable op-
portimity to run through. There are several ships
of war upon the look-out for them ; and if the in-
formation received be correct, you may shortly ex-
pect to hear of their arrival here.
From the measures lately adopted by our Gover-
nor, we have every reason to think that a part of the
Expedition, not yet arrived, has for one of its objects
the taking of Ceuta; at present that place is block-
aded by two brigs of war. The great advantage of
taking this place would be, keeping the French out
of Barbary ; for should they establish themselves
there, it would materially affect us here, as well as
the fleet off Cadiz, since Ceuta is the principal place
whence we are able to receive supplies; the possession
of Ceuta by the enemy would also have a bad in-
fluence upon the commerce of England. The Em-
peror of Morocco is !earful the French will pay him
a visit, and he is of.course very anxious for the Bri-
tish to be in possession of Ceuta; it is said, that he
has offered the Government every thing in his power
to induce them to seize it. TI c fortress is well forti-
fied, but the harbour is adapted only to smalL craft.
It is impossible, at certain times, to prevent the
Spanish gun-brats from running over to Ceuta from
Algesiras, and it is in their power in a short time to
convey a number of troops thither.
The following is a statement of damage sustained by
the shipping in this bay during the late gale from the
Eastward on the night of the sth, and Sunday the
6th inst. which, from the testimony of the oldest in-
habitants, was much more violent, and lasted longer
than any storm they ever witnessed.

The American ship Two Brothers, from Tveghom, in ballast,
sunk in Rosia Bay—Passengers and crew turfed by the boats of
his Majesty's ship Renommee, with considerable difficulty.
The American brig Minerva, front Barcelona to this place,
with wine, went to pieces at the back of the New Mole—Crew
saved by tlw boats of his Majesty's brig Redwing; about 40 or
50 pipes of wine were also saved.
English brig Commerciante, Antonio Siraini master, with rice,
for Malta, stranded near Jumper's Battery, and totally lost.
A French polacre ship prize overset, and the crew, if any on
board, perished.
An English xebeque overset—Two women and one man drown-
ed ; the remainder of the crew taken off the side of the wreck by
a launch belonging to this place.
The English ship Euphrates, from Honduras, with mahogany
and logwood, parted both cables, and drove on shore on the Spa-
nish coast, near the Palmones.
The English ship Eliza lost all her cables and anchors, drove off
the bank, and, after sustaining a heavy fire front the Cabrita bat-
teries, effected her escape through the Gut ; since returned.
The American brig Mary, from New York, with sugar, stran-
ded under Aoca battery—Crew and cargo saved. The vessel
since got off with the loss of her masts, and being otherwise so
much damaged as to render her not worth repairing.
An American ship, with West India produce, drove out to sea,
and ran through the Gut; is since returned with the loss of all
her cables and anchors.
Several small craft, whose names have not reached us, likewise
went to pieces.
We learn from Algesiras, that 36 vessels, of different descrip-
tions, have been driven on sborc in that port and totally lost.
Detained on the 9th— .

The American brig William Tell, Henry Jacques, .50 days
from New York,with provisions for St. Lucar, by his Majesty's
sloop Imogene.
Arrived rrom the sth to the 12th instant—

- _
His Majesty's Plurbe, Captain Oswald, from Tangiers.
The English polacre Principe Gametic, Fras. Vassalo, 90 days
from Sicily, and last from Algiers, in 7 days, with wheat for this
lace.
His Majesty's Air Nympbe, Captain Shipley, from a cruize.
His Majesty's ship Windsor Castle, Captain Boyle, and sloop
Sabrina' _Carlin Kinn% days from the fleet off Cadiz.
His Majesty's brig Scam, Captain and brio Minorca,
Captain Hornby, from a crui2e. •
The English ships Dry Harbour and Milne, (light transports)
5 days from the.fleet off Cadz.
His Majesty's cutter Earl Spencer, Lieutenant BothweU, 21
days from Yakima