Page:Authentic narrative of the proceedings of His Majesty's Squadron.pdf/15

 pleasing intelligence Capt. Berry had likewise the satisfaction of communicating in person to the Admiral.

At ten minutes after nine, a fire was observed on board L'Orient, the French Admiral's ship, which seemed to proceed from the after part of the Cabin, and which increased with great rapidity, presently involving the whole of the after part of the ship in flames. This circumstance Capt. Berry immediately communicated to the Admiral, who, though suffering severely from his wound, came up upon deck, where the first consideration that struck his mind, was concern for the danger of so many lives, to save as many as possible of whom he ordered Capt. Berry to make every practicable exertion. A boat, the only one that could swim, was instantly dispatched from the Vanguard, and other ships that were in a condition to do so, immediately followed the example; by which means, from the best information, the lives of about seventy Frenchmen were saved.

The light thrown by the fire of L'Orient upon the surrounding objects, enabled us to perceive with more certainty the situation of the two fleets, the colours of both being clearly distinguishable. The cannonading was partially kept up to lecwardleeward [sic] of the centre till about ten o'clock, when L'Orient blew up with a most tremendous explosion. An awful pause and deathlike silence for about three minutes ensued, when the wreck of the masts, yards, &c. &c. which had been carried to a vast height, fell down into the water and on board the surrounding ships. A Port fire from L'Orient fell into the main royal of the Alexander, the fire occasioned by which was however extinguished in about two minutes, by the active exertions of Capt. Ball. After this awful scene, the firing recommenced with the ships to leeward of the centre till twenty minutes past ten, when there was a total cessation of firing for about ten minutes; after which it was revived till about three in the morning, when it again ceased.