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Rh it necessary, to take his whole force into the Mediterranean; but, if he should deem a detachment sufficient, “I think it almost unnecessary,” said the First Lord of the Admiralty, in his secret instructions, “to suggest to you the propriety of putting it under Sir Horatio Nelson.” A fortnight previous to the receipt of these orders, the noble Earl had sent that officer with a small squadron to endeavour to ascertain the object of the expedition; so sagaciously had his Lordship anticipated the views of the government at home.

Sir Horatio Nelson, his flag-ship, the Vanguard, of 74 guns, having completed her water and provisions at Gibraltar, sailed from thence, May 9, 1798, accompanied by the Alexander and Orion 74’s, Emerald and Terpsichore frigates, and Bonne Citoyenne sloop. On the 19th, when they were in the Gulf of Lyons, a gale came on from the N.W. It moderated on the 20th; but after dark again blew strong; and early on the morning of the 21st, the Vanguard carried away her main and mizen-top-masts. In two hours afterwards, the fore-mast went in three pieces, and the bowsprit was found to be sprung in as many places. At day-light the ship, by means of the remnant of her spritsail, was enabled to wear. The Alexander, Orion, and Emerald wore also; and the four vessels scudded before the wind. The Terpsichore, Bonne Citoyenne, and a prize-ship, continued lying-to, under bare poles, and therefore parted company; as did the Emerald, during the night.

At noon on the 22d, the three line-of-battle ships anchored in the Sardinian harbour of St. Pietro, where the Vanguard, by the indefatigable exertions of Sir Horatio Nelson, his officers and men, was refitted in four days. On the 27th, the detachment sailed for the rendezvous off Toulon; and on the 7th June, effected a junction with ten sail of the line, and a 50-gun ship, which had been detached from the fleet off Cadiz to reinforce the Rear-Admiral, who now found himself at the head of a well appointed squadron consisting of the following ships, commanded by some of the ablest officers in the British navy;