Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/213

Rh signals flying, and boats hurrying to and fro with orders among the French squadron, which exhibited a total of 26 vessels, including transports, with about 4,000 men, out of which three frigates, two bomb-ketches, to the north-east and north respectively, and one sloop of war were designated for the first day s fight, employing 104 guns, while several other vessels cruised in different directions, some to observe the effect of the shells and correct the aim by signals.

The ships were allowed to take up position unmolested,

although a few shots might have disabled the steamers employed for the purpose. At half-past two