The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-05-31
SKETCHES OF ALGIERS.

SKETCHES OF .ALGIERS.
The following extract from Mr.. shaler's
Sketches of Algiers forms graphic and
stnkiDs description Of memorable event.
n. GAG.
| Minutes of the Battle 6etuee,s the
Brush fleet under Lord ETmouth and the
.dtgerines, taken at tie Consular house an
the city.
ION the morning of the twenty-sev-
enth of August, 1916. the weather be-
ing remarkably fine and temperate, the
atmosphere only slightly agitated by the
breath of zephyrs scarcely perceptible,
the whole western horizon, as seen
from this house, is covered with
vessels of war of various classes and
sizes, from the terrible three decker
down TO the insignificant gun boat. The
proximity OF this fleet was announced
last evening by alarm guns, and they
appear to be approaching under the in
tiuence Of a current. At eleven O'Clock
the breeze freshens little. and frig-
ale is detached from the feet, siands
near IN with the marine batteries under
a flag Of truce, and sends boat on
shore. This frigate maintains her po-
sition, with flag Of truce flying, until
about one o'clock. In the mean time,
the fleet concentrates in the bay in ap-
parent readiness for action. On the
flag being hauled down on board of the
trlgate, many signals are seen flying in
the fleet, and six frigates under the
Dutch flag are formed in separate
close line of battle ahead. A French
corvette, that was lying in the bay, on
the appearance of the combined fleets
this morning, left her anchorage, and
stretched out amongst them. AT forty
five minutes past one, four bomb vessels
take their positions opposite the city,
at distances hardly exceeding mile
, from the principal marine batteies. Al
quarter past two, many signals are
! seen flying, and the maneuvres Of the
D fleet indicate an intention of taking posi-
\ lions OF attack. At half past two, p. NJ.
l the British Admiral, i'm the Queen Char
lotte,of one hundred and twenty guns, fills
away with moderate breeze from the
north, land leads in, in majestic style, fol-
lowed by two ships of seventy-four, one
of ninety-eight, and another of seventy
{ four guns the frigates stand in pro,
miscuously, with the apparent intention
OF taking allotted stations, and the Dutch
squadron follows in regular lne of bat
tie.
a few minutes before three, the
British Admiral passes on. of sight Of
this position, and TO appearance almost
brushing the formidable line of marine
) batteries with his wards. AT this mo-
nent two seVenty-four gun ships take
their positions at distances apparently
{ not beyond pistol shot, and at the same
. time the lmpregnable, Of Dinety-eight
, guns, with a rear Admiral's flag, though
d at much greater distance, obviously an
!, error. At this time the fleet mas pass.
E ed out of sight of this position, except
! the three last mentioned, and several
sloops and small craft, which keep ma
neuveriog under sail, without appar-
] ent intention to anchor. At exactly
e three o'clock, gun is fired by the AL.
0 gerines upon the British Admiral, ant
= the battle instantly becomes general. Al
+ twenty minutes past three the fire of the
: marine batteries appears TO be silenced
f and hundreds of fugitives from them are
: seen flying along the sea-shore under
: the walls of this house, where many o
! them are moved down by the fire o.
d the Impregnable. The cannonade en-
d dures with great fury Ontbe part of the
a British and is returned with Constanc,
from the batteries in this quarter. A
S FIVE O'Clock the fire of the marine bat
n teries is renewed, and continued at in
G tervals. At half past seven, the ship
e ping in the port is discovered 10 be oil
g fire. At eight O'Clock, the Consul i
d informed that the British Consul ha
,. been taken from his house by an arme,
= band, and confined in heavy chains il
e the common prison for criminals.
sat half past eight the canuonad'
! endures. The upper part ofthis house
: is apparently in ruins; five shells have
: burst within its walls. At nine, the fir,
J, begins TO slacken on both sides. At e
e leven the growing of cannon is ONLY
$ heard at long intervals. At midnight
t. from the terrace of this house, every
n thing 10 the port appears to be in flames
e and two wrecks on fire are drifting out
:. The spectacle at this moment is pecu
d liarly grand aud sublime. A blacl
d thunderstorm is rising, probably an ef
d feet of the long cannonade; its vivi'
lightning discovers the hostile fleet
e retiring with the land breeze, and paint
e them in strong relief on the deep obscu
u rity Of the horizon. Shells and rock
d ets occasionally streaming across tn