Page:Authentic narrative of the proceedings of His Majesty's Squadron.pdf/21



Vanguard, off the Mouth of the Nile. Aug. S, 1798.

MY LORD,

Almighty God has blessed His Majesty's arms in the late Bartle, by a great Victory over the Fleet of the enemy, whom I attacked at ſun-ſet on the first of August off the Mouth of the Nile. The enemy were moored in a strong Line of Battle for defending the entrance of the Bay of Shoals), flanked by the numerous Gun-boats, four Frigates, and a Battery of guns and mortars on an land in their Van; but nothing could withstand the Squadron your Lordship did me the honor to place under my Command. Their high state of discipline is well known to you, and with the judgment of the Captains, together with their valour and that of the Officers and Men of every deſcription, it was absolutely irresistible.

Could any thing from my pen add to the characters of the Captains, I would write it with pleaſure, but that is impoſſible.

I have to regret the loss of Captain Westcott, of the Majestic, who was killed early in the Action; but the ship was continued to be ſo well fought by her First Lieutenant Mr. Cuthbert, that I have given him an order to command her till your Lordship's pleaſure is known.

The ships of the enemy, all but their two rear ships, are nearly dismasted; and those two with two Frigates, I am sorry to ſay, made their escape; nor was it, I assure you, in my power to prevent them. Captain Hood most handſomely endeavoured to do it, but I had no ship in a condition to ſupport the Zealous, and I was obliged to call her in.

The ſupport and assistance I have received from Captain Berry cannot be ſufficiently expressed. I was wounded in the head, and obliged to be carried off the deck, but the Service suffered no loss by that event. Captain Berry was fully equal to the important service then going on, and to him I must beg leave to refer you for every information relative to this Victory. He will preſent you with the Flag of