Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1801-09-18
about twenty fail of gun veiIels and revc-
nue. cutters.
BATTLE OF AJCFSJp

nue. cutters.
BATTLE OF ALGESIRAS,
Captain Ferris, late of his ma jefly':
fhip the Hannibal, captured by the French
fquadron in the Bay of AlgeGras, arrived
this morning at the admiralty, with Off
cial accounts Of the lofs of that ihip, and
the particulars of the action between Sir
James Saumarez and Admiral Linois and
the Spaniih batteries.
We were fully convinced tina, the re-
port OF the engagement, as it appeared in
the Moniteur, would be found to contain
much exsggeration, and this opinion is
confirmed by tie accounts which captain
Ferris has brought. Although the Han
nibal has been unfortunately loft, our ma.
val glory has nor fuaered the ilightea di-
minution.
It appears that Sir James Ssumarez,
with the Cefar, LIE Pompce, the Veie-
rable, Audacious, the Hannibal, and the
Spencer, attacked the enemy's fquadron
about 8 O'Clock in the morning of the eth
OF lait month. The Hannibal, while in
the gallant act of attempting to break the
French line, was driven aground by the
imperuofity of the current under the Spa
niih batteries, and was particularly ex-
poied to dreadful fire from artillery Of a
very heavy calibre placed upon rock, BY
which the was in every point of direction
commanded. In this perilous htuation
the action was maintained with uncom-
mon intrepedity, by capt. Ferris and his
crew, tor nearly four hours, when, hav-
ing loft I43 men in killed and wounded,
feeling no PROJECT Of extricating herfelf,
and in danger OF going every infant TO the
bottom, the Hannibal was at length COM
PEELED TO iirike her colours.
/ he Spencer was, in confequence of the
rapidity of the current, prevented from
taking par. in the action, which was fuf-
aimed by the Cafar, the Venerable, the
Audacious, and lie Pompee. The Cafar
had 4 men killed and wounded, the We
nerable and Audscious between 40 and
20 each, and LIE Pompee So. The whole
OF our Iois is, we deeply regret to fate, lit
tie fhort of $50 men in killed and wound
ed. The Venerable led our iquadron in
10 action, and fuch was the vigor of the
attack, and he force of our FIRE, that the
whole of tie French fquadron were driven
afhore, and all their thips rendered un-
fervieeable. The enemy incceeded in get
ting off the Hannibal but that venelfuf-
tanned 70 much damage as to be rendered
completely ufelefs. No officer of diitinc-
ton was killed except lieut.. Turner, of the
marines, belonging to the Hannibal. The
Pompee fufered 70 very feverely by the
fire of the batteries, that it was found ne
cenary to employ the boats of the other
veGels TO tow her into Gibraltar Bay.
Sir Saumarez was uGng every exer-
tion to reht his fquadron with the utnnoft
difpatch.
Such is the fubfance of the accounts
communicated by capt. Ferris of the action
Of Algefras, which according to the Off
cial papers of the French government, CO.
vered the republican navy with glory, but
in which it is now certained that the ra-
pidity of the current, and the Spaniih bat
teries, performed the mott confpicuous
parts.
CORN EXCHANGE, Friday Jolly 81.
The Wheat Marker was very dull,
hardly any thing done. Prices at laa
market-day. Oats briik, and is dearer.
Other articles in the fame as lsf market
day.
Wheat, Cos. TO 6es. fine do. Dos. 20
I7os. fupesflne, Dos. TO 1905. Rye sos.
TO Cos.