Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v1p2.djvu/195

Rh end of Grouais, and, by hauling to the wind as close as could be to leeward of that island, Captain Hotham had the satisfaction of fetching to windward of the harbour’s mouth, before the French ships reached it. Their Commodore, seeing himself thus cut off, made a signal to his consorts, and hauled to the wind on the larboard tack, to windward of Point Talcet, and they appeared to speak each other. The Northumberland continued beating to windward between Grouais and the main land, to close with them, exposed to the batteries on both sides, when she stood within their reach, which was unavoidable. At 2$h$ 49’ P.M., the enemy bore up in close line a-head; and under every sail that could be set, favoured by a fresh breeze, made a bold and determined attempt to run between her and the shore, under cover of the numerous batteries with which it is lined in that part. Captain Hotham placed the Northumberland to meet them as close as he could to the Point de Pierre Laye, with her head to the shore, and the main-top-sail shivering, and made dispositions for laying one of them alongside; but they hauled so very close round the point, following the direction of the coast to the eastward of it, that, in his ignorance of the depth of water so near the shore, he did not think it practicable, consistent with the safety of the King’s ship (drawing near 25 feet) to prosecute that plan. He therefore bore up, and steered parallel to them, at the distance of about two cables’ length, and opened his broadside on them, which was returned by a very animated and well-directed fire of round, grape, and other shot, supported by three batteries for the space of 21 minutes, and was very destructive to the Northumberland’s sails and rigging. Captain Hotham’s object, during that time, was to prevent their hauling outside the dry rock, named Le Graul; but in steering sufficiently close to leave them no room to pass between him and it, and at the same time to avoid running on it himself, the utmost difficulty and anxiety was produced by the cloud of smoke which drifted a-head of the Northumberland, and totally obscured it. However, by the care and attention of Mr. Hugh Stewart, the Master, the ship was carried within the distance of her own length on the S.W. side, in a quarter less seven fathoms; and the enemy were in consequence obliged, as their only alternative, to attempt