Page:Account of the dispute between Russia, Sweden & Denmark, and Great Britain.pdf/16

16 liable. Theſe accidents prevented the extenſion of our line by the three ſhips before mentioned, who would I am confident, have ſilenced the Crown Iſlands, the two outer ſhips in the harbour’s mouth, and prevented the heavy loſs in the Defiance and Monarch, and which unhappily threw the gallant and good Capt. Riou (to whom I had given the command of the frigates and ſloops named in the margin, to aſſiſt in the attack of the ſhips at the harbour’s mouth,) under a very heavy fire; the conſequence has been the death of Capt Riou, and many brave officers and men in the frigates and ſloops. The bombs were directed and took their ſtations abreaſt of the Elephant, and threw ſome ſhells into the arſenal. Captain Roſe, who volunteered his ſervices to direct the gun-brigs, did every thing that was poſſible to get them forward, but the current was too ſtrong for them to be of ſervice during the action; but not the leſs merit is due to Capt Roſe, and I believe all the officers and crews of the gun-brigs, for their exertions. The boats of thoſe ſhips of the fleet, who were not ordered on the attack, afforded us every aſſistance; and the officers and men who were in them merit my warmeſt approbation—The Deſirée took her ſtation in raking the ſouthermoſt Daniſh ſhip of the line, and performed the greateſt ſervice.

The action began at five minutes paſt ten—The van, led by Capt. George Murray of the-Edgar, who ſet a noble example of intrepidity, which was as well followed up by every Captain, Officer, and man, in the ſquadron. It is my duty to you to ſtate the high and diſtinguished merit and gallantly of Rear Admiral Graves. To Capt. Foley, who permitted me the honour of hoiſting my flag in the Elephant, I feel under the greateſt obligations: His advice was neceſſary on