Page:Memoirs of the life and gallant services of Admiral Lord Nelson.pdf/23

 of Admiral Lord Nelſon. 23 in his left breaſt, about the middle of the action, and ſent an officer to me immediately with his laſt farewell; and ſoon after expired. I have alſo to lament the loſs of thoſe excellent officers, Captain Duff of the Mars, and Cooke of the Bellerophon; I have yet heard of one others. I fear the numbers that have fallen will be found very great, when the returns come to me, but it having blown a gale of wind ever ſince the action, I have not yet had it in my power to collect any re- ports from the ſhips. The Royal Sovereign having loſt her maſts, ex- cept the tottering foremaſt, I called the Euryalus to ime, while the action continued, which ſhip lying within hail, made my ſignals, a ſervice Captain Black- wood performed with great attention, after the ac- ption, I ſhifted my flag to her, that I might more eaſily communicate my orders to, and collect the hips, and towed the Royal Sovereign out to fea- ward. The whole Fleet were now in a very peri- lous ſituation, many diſmaſted, all ſhattered, in thir- teen fathom water, off the ſhoals of Trafalgar; and when I made the ſignal to prepare to anchor, few of the ſhips had any anchors to let go, their cables being ſhot; but the fame good Providence which hided us thro' ſuch day, preſerved us in the night, by the wind ſhifting a few points, and drifting the jinsips off the land, except four of the captured dir- maſted ſhips, which are now at anchor off Trafalgar, end I hope will ride ſafe until thoſe gales are over. Having thus detailed the proceedings of the Fleet on this occaſion, I beg to congratulate their Lord. chips on a victory which, I hope, will add a ray to the glory of his Majeſty's crown, and be attended with public benefit to our country. I am, &c. (Signed) C. COLLINGWOOD. William Marſden, Eſq. The