Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v1p2.djvu/383

Rh  on in that quarter, we shall here present our readers with a more detailed narration.

On the 10th Feb. Sir John T. Duckworth, in the Royal George, of 100 guns, accompanied by the Pompée, of 80 guns, Captain Richard Dacres, bearing the flag of Sir W. Sidney Smith; Ajax, of the same force, commanded by the Hon. H. Blackwood; Windsor Castle, a second-rate, Captain Charles Boyles; Repulse, 74, Hon. A. K. Legge; and Lucifer and Meteor bombs, arrived off the island of Tenedos, where he formed a junction with the squadron under Sir Thomas Louis, consisting of that officer’s flag-ship, the Canopus, of 80 guns; Thunderer, 74, Captain John Talbot; Standard, 64, Captain Thomas Harvey; Active frigate, Captain R. H. Moubray; and Endymion frigate, Hon. T. B. Capel. Nothing of any consequence occurred till the night of the 14th, when the Ajax was unfortunately destroyed by fire. Shortly after day-break on the morning of the 19th, the whole fleet stood for the entrance of the Dardanelles, in line of battle, the Canopus leading the van, and the bombs towed by the Standard and Thunderer, which latter ships formed part of the rear division under Sir W. Sidney Smith, who had previously been ordered, in the event of the Turks offering any opposition, to bring up and attack a squadron which Sir J. T. Duckworth had reason to suppose was lying at anchor off Point Pesquies.

As soon as the leading ship was abreast of the outer castles, she received a brisk fire from them, but without returning a shot. The like forbearance was observed by the others, as they passed in succession. A heavy discharge of cannon was also continued upon the British, from some batteries on the European side of the Hellespont, which, however, occasioned