Page:Repository of Arts, Series 1, Volume 01, 1809, January-June.djvu/607

 way. Having observed that the French trade had been for some time kept in port, in a great measure, by their knowledge of the exact situation of the British cruizers, constantly announced at the signal-posts, it appeared to him to be of some importance, as there was nothing better in view, to endeavour to stop this practice. With his marines and boat’s crews he accordingly demolished the two posts at La Pointe de la Roche, that of Caliola, and two in L'Ance de Repos. One of the latter was defended by upwards of 100 militia. All the flags were brought off, and the houses built by government were burnt to the ground.

On the 9th of May, an attempt was also made on the battery at Point d'Equilon, which was carried at once, and laid in ruins, the guns spiked, the carriages burned, the barracks and magazine blown up, and all the shells thrown into the sea. The signal-post of L'Equilon, together with the house, shared the fate of the gun-carriages; but the convoy, which would have been a desirable capture, escaped into a river, beyond the reach of the intrepid assailants, only three of whom were wounded in the different attacks.

A few days afterwards, his lordship was engaged in one of the most spirited actions performed during the war. The Pallas being the inshore look-out frigate of Vice-Admiral Thornborough’s squadron off Rochefort, had, on the 14th of May, borne down close to l'isle d'Aix, to reconnoitre the French force, when his lordship perceived a frigate of 40 guns and upwards, and three brigs, getting under sail. This great disparity of force could not oblige him to relinquish the hope of making prize of the frigate. The Pallas remained under topsails by the wind, to await her antagonists. At half past eleven in the morning a smart point-blank firing commenced on both sides, in sight of the whole French squadron. The enemy suffered severely, and one of the brigs struck her colours. The batteries on l'Isle d'Aix opened on the Pallas, and a cannonade interrupted on the part of the latter only by the necessity of making various tack to avoid the shoals, continued till one o’clock, when his lordship’s endeavours to gain the wind of the enemy, and get between him and the batteries, proved successful. An effectual distance was now chosen, a few broadsides were poured in, and the Frenchman’s fire slackened. Lord Cochrane ordered that of the Pallas to cease, and directed the master to run the frigate on board, with the intention of preventing his retreat by boarding. The enemy’s side thrust the guns of the Pallas back into the ports; the whole, with four shot in each, were then discharged. The effect and crash were dreadful; the enemy’s fire being completely silenced, his decks cleared, and his dastardly crew to a man quitted their quarters; the French captain alone remained on the deck, brandishing his sword at his lordship. The Pallas had lost her fore-top-mast, and received considerable injury in her sails, rigging, and hull, by the shock she received in coming in contact with the enemy. In this condition, two other heavy