Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-06-15

the Theseus, three additional fire ships,
which were hastily prepared in the course
of the day, and all the boats OF the feet,
with Mr.. Congreyc's rockets, to conduct
the further operations of the night against
any of the ships which lay exposed TO an
attack. On the morning of the 18th, the
rear admiral reported to me, that as the
Cesar and other line of battle ships had
grounded and were in dangerous SITUATE
on, he thought it advisable to o.der them
all out, particularly as the remaining part
of the service could be performed by fri
gates and small vessels only ; and | was
happy to find that they were exsricated
from their perilous situation.
Captain Bligh has since informed me that
It was impracticable to destroy the three
deoked ship, and the others which were ~
inc near the Charante, as the former, being
the outer one, was protected BY three lines
of boats placed in advance from her.
This ship and all the Others, except four
of the line and frigate. have now moved
up the river CEarante. If any further at
tempt to destroy them is practicable, | shall
not fail to use every means in my power to
accomplishing.
I have great satisfaction in stating to
their lordships how much ! feel cbliged to
the Jealous corporations OF rear-admiral
Stopford, under whose. arrangement the
boats of the feet were placed and l must
also express to- their lordships the high
sense | have of the assistance received
FROM the abilities and unidentified attention
of Sir Harry Neale, Bart. the captain of
the feet, as well as OF the animated exer-
tons of the captains, officers, seamen, and
marines under NY command, and their for
wardness to volunteer upon any Service
that might be allotted to them; particular
ly the zeal and activity shewn by the cap
tains of line Of battle ships in preparing the
fire vessels.
cannot speak in sufficient terms of ad-
miration and applause of the vigorous and
gallant attack made by lord Cochrane upon
the French line Of battle ships which were
on shore, as we'll for his judicious manner
of approachingthem, and placing his ship
IN the position most advantageous to annoy
the enemy andpreserve his own ship, which
could not be exceeded by any feat of valor
hitherto achieved by the British navy.
1t is due to rear admiral Stopford and sir
Harry Neale, that should here take the
opportunity ofiacquainting their lordships of
the handsome and earnest manner in which
both these meritorious officers had volun-
teered before their arrival of lord Cochrane,
to undertake an attack upon the enemy with
fire ships and that had not their lordships
fixed upon hinl~to conduct their enterprise,
| have a full confidence that the results Of
their efforts would have been highly credit
able TO them.
should feel that did not do justice to
the service of captain Godfrey of the Etna,
in bombarding the enemy's ships on the 9Th
if | did not recommend him to their lord
ships notice; and I cannot omit bearing
due testimony to the anxious desire express
sed by Mr.. Congreve to be employed
wherever might conceive his services IN
the management of his rockets would be
useful some of them were placed IN the
fire ship with effect; and l have every rea-
son to be satisfied with the artilerymen and
others, who had the management of them
under Mr.. Congreve's direction.
send herewith return of the killed and
wounded of the fleet, which am happy to
observe, is comparatively small. l have
not yet received the returns of the number
of prisoners taken, but conceive they a.
mount to between four and FIVE hundred.
I have charged sir Harry Neale with the
this dispatch (by the Imperieuse) and beg
leave to refer their lordships to him, as also
to lord Cochrane, for any further particu-
lars of which they may wish to be inform
ed.
have the houor to be, &c.