Page:Authentic narrative of the proceedings of His Majesty's Squadron.pdf/3



IR HORATIO NELSON had been detached by Earl into the Mediterranean with the Vanguard of 74 guns, the Rear-Admiral's Flag Ship, the Orion and Alexander of 74. guns each, the Emerald and Terpsichore Frigates, and La Boune Citoyenne Sloop of War.

Nothing material occurred to the Squadron from the day it sailed from Gibraltar, which was on the 9th of May, till the 22d, when, being in the Gulph of Lyons, at two A. M. a most violent squall of wind took the Vanguard, which carried away her topmasts, and at last her foremast. The other ships experienced the farv of the gale, but not in the same Vanguard, a  The three  battle ships  sight of the  the same day, and at the moment of the misfortune which befell the Vanguard, the British Squadron was not many leagues distant from the French Fleet under Buonaparte, which had on that very day set sail from Toulon.

The squadron bore up for Sardinin, the Alexander taking the Vanguard in tow, and the Orion looking out a-head to endeavour to get a Pilot, for the purpose of gaining St. Pierre's road.

On the 24th, with very great difficulty we reached that anchorage, where we were in great hopes of meeting with a friendly reception, which our distresses seem-