Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p1.djvu/114

 preceding the fleet to the eastward. The same evening the Latona anchored in the bay, and Lord Howe, in the Victory, passed the rock. On the 12th the Latona came out and brought Captain Curtis of the navy to the Commander-in-Chief; only four of the transports fetched into the bay; the remainder were driven by the current up the Mediterranean, whither the fleet also repaired. Oct. 13th, the Panther of 60 guns, anchored off the garrison. At eleven A.M. the Latona, abreast of Europa point, informed the Admiral by signal that the enemy were in motion, and bore up to close with the fleet. At sun-down the enemy were seen about six leagues to windward, in line-of-battle on the larboard tack, forty-nine sail of square-rigged vessels, forty-two of which appeared to be of the line. The Latona and another frigate were ordered to reconnoitre.

At two A.M. on the 14th, the Latona made the signal for the enemy having tacked. At six they were not in sight from the decks of the British ships. Oct. 15, Gibraltar distant about ten leagues. The next day very thick weather with a heavy swell; Latona informed Lord Howe that eighteen more of the transports were safe in the Mole. At four P.M. on the 17th, the fleet stood over for Tetuan Bay, with intention to anchor there, but found it was not sufficiently capacious. On the 18th, Captain Holloway of the Buffalo, who had been sent to the Zaffarine islands, hove in sight, and got safe into the bay with all the remainder of the transports under his protection, one brig alone excepted. In the evening Captain Curtis again went on board the Latona, charged with the final communications the Governor had to make to Earl Howe. At six A.M. on the 19th, wind about east, the Crown made the signal for the enemy’s fleet. His Lordship attempted to form, but finding it impracticable, ran through the Gut with his colours flying as a challenge. At four P.M. the Captain of the Latona went on board the Victory, with the news of his having captured’and destroyed a Spanish fire-vessel, he also carried with him Captain Vallotton, aid-de-camp to General Elliot, and Captain Curtis, returning to England with despatches. The loss sustained by the British in the ensuing skirmish has already been stated in, of this volume.

The Spanish fire-vessel just alluded to was taken possession of, and conducted into Gibraltar Bay, by Lieutenant Larkan, who appears to have had a most miraculous escape from destruction, she being actually on fire in several places, and her hatches all battened down, when boarded by him. On searching the prize several lighted matches were discovered in various parts, some of which had communicated their fire to rags and other combustibles, whilst one was found sticking in a barrel of filled cartridges placed under the cabin. The man who had been ordered to inspect that part of the vessel, was so much alarmed, that instead of attending to