Page:Memoirs of the life and gallant services of Admiral Lord Nelson.pdf/12

 12 The Life and gallant Services in a bay upon the larboard bow, which we after- wards found to be Aboukir Bay.. The Admiral hauled his wind that inſtant, made the ſignal to prepare for battle, as it was his intention to attack the enemy's van and centre, as they lay at anchor, and according to the plan before developed. As all the officers of our ſquadron were totally unacquaint- ed with Aboukir Bay, each ſhip kept founding as the ſtood in. The enemy appeared to be moored in a ſtrong and compact line of battle, cloſe in with the fore, Their line deſcribing an obtuſe angle in its form, flanked by numerous gun-boats, four frigates, and a battery of guns and mortars on an iſland in their van. The poſition of the enemy preſented the moſt formidable obſtacles; but the Admiral viewed theſe with the eye of a ſeaman determined on attack; and it inſtantly ſtruck his eager and penetrating mind, that where there was room for an enemy's ſhip to ſwing, there was room for another of ours to an- chor. The Goliath and Zealous had the honour to lead inſide, and to receive the firſt fire from the van ſhips of the enemy, as well as from the batteries and gun boats with which their van was ſtrengthened. Theſe two ſhips, with the Orion, Audacious, and Theſeus, took their Stations inſide the enemy's line, and were immediately in cloſe action. The Van- guard anchored the firſt on the outer-ſide of the ene- my, and was opened within half piſtol- hot to Le Spartiate, the third in the enemy's line. In ſtand- ing in, our leading ſhips were unavoidably obliged to receive into their bows the whole fire of the broad fides of the French line, until they could take their reſpective ſtations; and it is but juſtice to ob- ſerve, that the enemy received us with great firm- neſs and deliberation, no colours having been hoiſt- ed on either ſide, nor a gun fired, till our van ſhips were within half gun ſhot. At this time the neceſ- ſary