The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-06-20

the Mediator lire ship, the others foliowin,
III succession but owing to the darkness
of the night, several mistook their cours,
and failed. $50
On their approach to the enemy's ships
it was discovered that bomb was placed /,
front of their defence. This, however, ths
weight of the Mediator soon broke. and the
usual intrepidity aud byaveryof British sea-
men, overcame all difficulties. Advancing
under heavy fire from the Forts in the Isle
OF AK, as well as from the enemy's ships
most of which cat' or slipped their cables,
and from the confined anchorage, got OH shore
and thus avoided taking ERE.
AT daylight, the following morning, Lord
Cochrane communicated to me, by telegraph,
that seven of the euemy's ships were on
shore, and might be destroyed. Ii,nmedi-
ately made the signal for the feet tounmoor
and weigh, intending to proceed with it to
effect their destruction. The wind, howe.
yer, being fresh from the northward, and
the flood tide running, rendered it too ha-
zardous TO tun into AK Roads; (from- its
shallow water); 1 therefore anchored again
at the distance of about three miles from the
forts on the Island.
As the tide suited, the enemy evinced great
activity in endeavoring to warp their ships
(Which had grounded) into deep water, and
towards the entrance of the Charente, before
it became practicable to attack them.
l gave orders to Captain BiiSh, of the vi
gilant, to proceed with that ship, the Re-
venge, frigates, bombs and small vessels, ma
med in the margnt, to anchor near the Boy
ART Shoal, in readiness for the attack. At
90 minutes past 2, p. NJ. Lord Coch2ane adj
vanced in the lmperieuse with his accus-
toned gallantry and spirit, and opened we'll
directed fire upon the Calcutta, which struck
her colors to the Imperieuse the ship and
vessels above mentioned, soon after joined in
the attack upon the Vile de Varsovie and
Aquiion, and obliged them, before five o.
clock, after sustaining heavy .cannonade,
to strike their colours, when they were ia
ken possession of by the boats of the advanc-
ed squadron. AS soon as the prisoners were
removed, they were set on fire, as was also
the Tonnerre, short time after, by the e.
.nemy.
] afterwards detached Rear Admiral the
Hon. Robert Stopford, in the Cesar, with
the Theseus, three additional fire. ships
(Which were hastily prepared in the course
of the day, and all the boats o: the fleet,
with Mr.. Congreve'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. Adj
miral reported to me, that as the Cesar and
other line of battle ships, had grounded and
were in dangerous situation, he thought 1t
advisable to order them all out, particularly
as the remaining part of the service could be
performed by fiigates and small vessels on
"; and was happy to find that they were
extricated from their perilous situation.
Captain Bligh has since informed me, that
it was impracticable to destroy the three
decked ship, and the others which were ly-
ing near the Charente, 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 Charente. If any further at
tempt to destroy them is practicable, l shall
not fail to use every means i'll my power, to
accomplish it.
have great satisfaction in stating to their
Lordships, how much feel obliged to the
jealous CO. operation. of Rear Admiral Stop
ford. under whose arrangement the boats OF
the fleet were placed and / must also eX-
press to their Lordships the high sense have
of the assistance received from the abil
ties and unremitted attention of Sir Harry
Neale, Bart. the Captain of the feet, as we'll
as OF the animated eXertions of the Captains,
Officers, Seamen and Marines under my
command, and their forwardness to volunteer
upon any service that might be allotted to
them particularly the zeal and activity
shewn by the Captains of line of battle ships
in preparing the fire vessels.
] Cannot speak in sufficient terms Of adnii-
ration and applause of the vigorous and gal
liant attack made by Lord CochraDe, upon
the French line of battle ships which were
on shore, as well as for his judicious man
ner Of approaching them, and placing his
shipi the position most advantageous to an
nov the enemy, and preserve his own ship,
w-.ch could not be exceeded by any feat of
valor hitherto achieved by the British navy.
1t is due % Rear-Admiral Stopford and
Sir Harry Neale, that should here take the
opportunity of acquainting their Lordships
of the handsome and earnest manner i'm
which both these meritorious officers had
volunteered their services before the arrival
of Lord Cochrane, to undertake an attack
upon the enemy with fre-ships and that
had not their Lordships fixed upon him to
conduct the enterprise, / have full confidence
that the result Of their efforts would have
been highly creditable to them.
should feel that / did not do Justice To
the service of Capt. Godfrey, of the Etna, in
bombarGing the enemy's ships on the 18th,
If did not recommend him to their Lord
ships notice, and cannot omit bearing dse
testimony IA the anxious desire expressed
by Mr.. Congreve to be employed wherever
might conceive his services in the manage
ment of his rockets would be useful some
of them were placed in the Fire ships with
effect /; and have every reason to be salts
fed with the arti;lerymen and others, who
had the management of them under Mr.
Congreve's direction.