Page:Authentic narrative of the proceedings of His Majesty's Squadron.pdf/12

 familiar to the understanding of every Captain in the fleet.

It has been already mentioned, that we saw the Pharo of Alexandria at noon on the 1st August. The Alexander and Swiftsure had been detached a head on the preceding evening to reconnoitre the ports of Alexandria while the main body of the squadron kept in the offing The enemy's fleet were first discovered by the Zealous. Capt Hood, who immediately communicated, by signal, the number of ships, sixteen, laying at anchor in line of battle, in a Bay upon the larboard bow, which we afterwards found to be Aboukir Bay. The Admiral hauled his wind that instant, a movement which was immediately observed and followed by the whole squadron, and at the same time he recalled the Alexander and Swiftsure. The wind was at this time N. N. W. and blew what Seamen call a top-gallant breeze.—It was necessary to take in the royals when we hauled upon a wind.

The Admiral made the signal to prepare for battle and that it was his intention to attack the enemy's and centre as they lay at anchor, and according to the plan before developed. His idea, in this disposition of his force was, first to secure the Victory, and then to make the most of it as circumstances might permit. A bower cable of each ship was immediately got out abaft and bent forward. We continued carrying sail and standing in for the enemy's fleet in a close line of battle As all the Officers of our squadron were totally unacquainted with Aboukir Bay, each ship kept sounding as she stood in.

The enemy appeared to be moored in a strong and compact line of battle, close in with the shore, their line describing an obtuse angle in its form, flanked by numerous gun-boats, four frigates, and a battery of gun and mortars on an island in their van.—This situation of the enemy seemed to secure to them the most decided advantages, as they had nothing to attend to but the artillery, in their superior skill in the use of which the