Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v1p2.djvu/402

 The following is a copy of his Lordship’s official letter, relative to the memorable affair in Aix Roads:–

“Caledonia, at anchor in Basque Roads, April 14

“Sir,– The Almighty’s favor to his Majesty and the nation has heen strongly marked in the success lie has been pleased to give to the operations of his Majesty’s fleet under my command; and I have the satisfaction to acquaint you, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the four ships of the enemy named in the margin, have been destroyed at their anchorage; and several others, from getting on shore, if not rendered altogether unserviceable, are at least disabled for a considerable time. The arrangements of the fire-vessels, placed under the direction of Captain the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, was made as fully as the state of the weather would admit, according to his lordship’s plan, on the evening of the 11th inst.; and at eight o’clock the same night, they proceeded to the attack, under a favorable strong wind from the northward and flood tide (preceded by some vessels filled with powder and shells, as proposed by his lordship, with a view to explosion), and led on in the most undaunted and determined manner by Captain Wooldridge in the Mediator fire-ship, the others following in succession; but owing to the darkness of the night, several mistook their course, and failed.

“On their approach to the enemy’s ships, it was discovered that a boom was placed in front of their line for a defence; this, however, the weight of the Mediator soon broke, and the usual intrepidity and bravery of British seamen overcame all difficulties; advancing under a heavy fire from the forts in the Isle of Aix, as well as from the enemy’s ships, most of which cut or slipped their cables, and from the confined anchorage got on shore, thus avoided taking fire.

“At day-light the following morning, Lord Cochrane communicated to me, by telegraph, that seven of the enemy’s ships were on shore, and might be destroyed. I immediately made the signal for the fleet to unmoor and weigh, intending to proceed with it to effect their destruction. The wind, however, being fresh from the northward, and the flood tide running, rendered it too hazardous to run into Aix Roads, from its shallow water; I therefore anchored again at the distance of about three miles from the forts on the island.

“As the tide suited, the enemy evinced great activity in endeavouring to warp their ships (which had grounded) into deep water, and succeeded in getting all but five of the line towards the entrance of the Charente, before it became practicable to attack them.

“I gave orders to Captain Bligh of the Valiant to proceed with that ship, the Revenge, frigates, bomb, and small vessels named in the margin, to