Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v1p1.djvu/397

Rh considered; that from the eastward appeared to be preferred. Sir Hyde Parker, with sound discretion, and in a handsome manner, not only left every thing to Lord Nelson for this detached service, but gave him two more line-of-battle ships than he demanded. The night of the 31st was employed as the preceding, in ascertaining the course of the Upper Channel, a service which was conducted under Nelson’s immediate directions.

On the forenoon of the 1st April, the whole fleet removed to an anchorage within two leagues of the town, off the N.W. end of the Middle Ground. Lord Nelson, accompanied by a few chosen friends, made his last observations during that morning on board the Amazon; and about one o’clock returning to the Elephant, he threw out the wished for signal, to weigh. The shout with which it was received throughout his division, consisting of seven 74’s, three 64’s, one ship of 54, and one of 50 guns, besides frigates, sloops, &c. &c., was heard to a considerable distance. The squadron then weighed and followed the Amazon frigate in succession through the narrow channel. The wind was light, but favourable, and not one accident occurred. About dark, the whole of the ships were at their anchorage off Draco Point, the headmost of the enemy’s line not more than two miles distant. The small extent of the anchoring ground, caused the ships to be so much crowded, which the calmness of the evening increased, that had the Danes but taken due advantage of it by shells from mortar boats, or from Amak island, the greatest mischief might have ensued.

On board the Elephant, the night of the 1st April was an important one. As soon as the fleet had anchored, the gallant Nelson sat down to table with a large party of his comrades in arms. He was in the highest spirits, and drank to a leading wind, and to the success of the ensuing day. Captains Foley, Hardy, Freemantle, Riou, Inman, his Lordship’s second in command, (Rear-Admiral Graves) and a few others to whom he was particularly attached, were of this interesting party; from which every man separated with feelings of admiration for their great leader, and with anxious impatience to follow him to the approaching battle. The remainder of the night was spent by Lord Nelson, assisted by Captains Foley and Riou, in arranging the order of battle, and drawing up those instructions that were to be issued to each ship on the succeeding day.

About seven A.M. of the 2d April, the signal was made for all Captains; the orders were delivered to each by eight o’clock; and a special command was given to Captain Riou, to act as circumstances might require. At half past nine the signal was given to weigh in succession; this was quickly obeyed by the Edgar, Captain Murray, who proceeded in a noble manner for the Channel. The Agamemnon, Captain Fancourt, was to follow, but she could not weather the shoal, and was obliged to anchor. The Polyphemus’s signal was then made, and this change in the order of sailing most promptly executed by Captain Lawford. The Edgar was, with Sir Charles M. Pole, who had succeeded Lord Nelson in the chief command of the fleet kept in that sea