treatment or exchange of Capt. Wright, of His Majesty's sloop Vicenzo," and now a prisoner of war in close confinement in France.-13. Hydra (Spanish) schooner, 28 guns, 192 men, taken by the Melampus, 36, S. Pointz, at sea.-17. Ranger, sloop, Charles Coote, 16, B. 1796, captured by the Rochfort squadron, being previously so damaged by her crew that the enemy were obliged to burn her.-19. Blanche, Z. Mudge, 36, B. 1801, taken and afterwards burned in lat. 20 deg, N. long. 66 deg. W. after a most gallant resistance against a French squadron, consisting of two frigates, and two sloops.-22. Vice Admiral Sir Robert Calder, with a detachment of the Channel fleet, consisting of 15 sail of the line, 2 frigates, and a lugger, defeated + off Ferrol the combined fleets of France and Spain, 20 sail of the line, 3 fifty gun ships, 5 frigates, and 3 brigs, capturing two Spanish ships of the line, viz. the San Rafael, 84, and El Firnee, 74. The action lasted four hours. The fleets remained in sight till the 24th, when the French got into Ferrol, and from thence some time after they put into Cadiz.-24. La Petite Aricere, (French) 4 guns, 35 men, taken by the Grenada brig, 10 guns, Lieut. J. Burke. El Santa Maria Magdalena (Spanish) felucca, 1 gun, taken by the Superieure, schooner, 12, W. C. Fromow, West Indies.

August 5. Dove cutter, A Boyack, 6, taken by the Rochfort squadron. Sheerness, Lord G. Stuart, 44, B. 1787, lost in a gale of wind off Trincomalee Bay, Ceylon, crew saved.-11. L'Hazard (French) gun boat, 14 men, taken by the Dominica sloop, H. Peter, Leeward Island Station.-13. La Caridad Perfecta, 12, (Spanish) schooner, taken by the Marianne schooner, Lieut. James Smith, under the batteries of Truxillo, after sustaining a very heavy and constant fire from the fort, in addition to the resistance of La Caridad.-15. La Fanne, 16, (French) corvette, taken by the Goliah, H. Barton, and Camilla, B. W. Taylor, Channel.-16. La Touche, 18, (French) corvette, taken by the Goliah, 74, R. Barton, Channel. Plumber, gun brig, Lieut. H. Garrety, 14, B. 1804, and Teazer, gun brig, Lieut. G. L. Ker, 14, B. 1804, taken off St. Maloes by five French gun brigs. Pigmy, Lieut. W. Smith, (2) 14, T. 1779, wrecked in St. Aubin's Bay, Jersey, crew saved. Althorpe cutter, Lieut. W. Scott, 16, (hired) foundered in the Channel.-19. Capt. Baker of the Phoenix, (36), captured the La Didon, of 44 guns and 330 men, a remarkably fine frigate, and the fastest sailer in the French navy. The action commenced at a quarter past nine in the morning, and lasted three hours, within pistol shot, during which all the ropes of the Phoenix were cut to pieces, her main-topsail yard shot away, and most of her masts and yards severely wounded. The necessity for Capt. Baker engaging to leeward, in order to prevent the possibility of the enemy's escape, exposed the Phoenix to several raking broadsides before it was prudent to return the fire; and the superiority of La Didon's sailing, added to the adroit manoeuvres of her Captain, Milins, showed the skill and gallantry with which Capt. Baker had to contend. Owing to the lightness of the wind, and La Didon's attempt to board, the starboard quarter of the Phoenix was brought in contact with her larboard bow, in which position she remained full three quarters of an hour, subject to a galling fire of musketry, which robbed Capt. Baker of such support of officers and men as could not be compensated but by the complete victory which crowned this bloody conflict.§-25. Sir Sidney Smith attempted to burn the Boulogne flotilla, by means of fire machines, called Carcases or Catamarans. La Ravauche, (French) row boat, 14 men, taken by the Dominica sloop, R. Peter, Leeward Island Station.

September. L'Hypolite, 4, (French) corvette, and armed with S swivels, run ashore and destroyed on the Isle of Bourbon, by the Duncan, 18, Lieut. Sneyd (acting).-2. La Prudente, (French) row boat, taken by the Dominica sloop, R. Peter, Leeward Island Station.--12. Capt. Parke, of the Amazon, (38,) captured the Principé de la Paz, a Spanish corvette Privateer of 24

* Sir Sidney Smith, a friend of Capt. Wright, read a letter descriptive not only of the situation of Capt. Wright, and also of the engagement in which the Vicenzo was captured, but likewise of the subsequent hardships the gallant captain and his brave officers and crew had suffered, and were then suffering; towards the conclusion of his speech, Sir Sidney was so overcome by his feelings that he was at times deprived of articulation, and in the end obliged to break off abruptly.

gans and 4 brass swivels, with 160 men on board, chiefly French.-13. Renomée, (French,) 2 guns, 40 men, taken by the Rein Deer sloop, 16, J. Fyffe, West Indies.-18.-26. Calcutta, Daniel Woodriffe, 50, P. 1793, taken, after a determined, resistance, by a French squadron on passage as convoy, from St. Helena, near Scilly.-30. El Galgo, pierced for 14, (Spanish) schooner, taken by the Port Mahon, 18, S. Chambers.

October 2.-L'Acteon, 16, (French,) taken by the Egyptienne, 40, Hon. C. E. Fleming, off Rochfort. Baracouta, schooner, Lieut. J. Orchard, 4, B. 1804, wrecked on the Jordan Kay, off Cuba, crew saved, but made prisoners. Gen. Ferrand, (French,) felucca, 1 gun, 2 swivels, taken by the Franchise, 36, Capt. Macdonnell, Leeward Island Station.-4. San Benite, (French,) 1 gun, 18 men, taken by the Netley, schooner, 14, Lieut. Carr.-5. Cyane,t 34, (French,) corvette, taken near Tobago, by the Princess Charlotte, 38, C. Tobin, and carried into Grenada.-6. Mestuo la Solidad, (Spanish,) 6 guns, taken by the Eurydice, 24, W. Hoste.-11. A Spanish gun-boat, No. 4, taken by the Dexterons gun-brig, 14, Lieut. R. Tomlinson, off Gibraltar. Squib, (F. V.) 4, (hired,) driven on shore and bilged near Deal, crew saved.-13. Naiade, 22, (French,) corvette, (since Melville,) taken by the Jason, 32, W. Champain, Leeward Island Station. Orquliot (S.) C. Balderson, 18, foundered in a gale, Jamaica Station; 95 of her crew lost.-19. La Precieusa, (Spanish,) cutter, 3 guns, 27 men, taken by the Wolf, 18, C. C. Mackenzie, Jamaica Station.-21. The greatest Naval Victory on record obtained by the British fleet, of 27 sail-of-the line, including 3 sixty-fours, commanded by Vice-Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson, off Cape Trafalgar, near Cadiz, over the United French and Spanish squadrons, consisting of 33 ships, (of which 18 were French, and 15 Spanish,) commanded by Admiral Villeneuve. The Spaniards, under the direction of Gravina, wore, with their heads to the northward, and formed their line of battle with great closeness and correctness; but as the mode of attack was unusual, so the structure of their line was new-forming a crescent convexing to leeward, so that in leading down to their centre, Vice-Admiral Collingwood, the second in command, had both their van and rear abaft the beam. Before the fire opened, every alternate ship was about a cable's length to windward of her second ahead and stern, forming a kind of double line, and appeared, when on their beam, to leave a very little interval between them, and this without crowding their ships. Admiral Villeneuve was in the Bucentaure, in the centre, and the Prince of Asturias bore Gravina's flag in the rear; but the French and Spanish ships were mixed, without any apparent regard to order of national squadron. Lord Nelson, in the Victory, led the weather column; and Admiral Collingwood, in the Royal Sovereign, the lee. The action began at twelve o'clock, by the leading ships of the columns breaking through the enemy's line, Lord Nelson about the tenth ship from the van, Admiral Collingwood about the twelfth from the rear, leaving the van of the enemy unoccupied, the succeeding ships breaking through in all parts astern of their leaders, and engaging the enemy at the muzzles of their guns: the conflict was severe; the enemy's ships were fought with a gallantry highly honourable to their officers; but the attack on them was irresistible, and ended in a complete and glorious victory.|| About three P.M., many of the enemy's ships having struck

This capture was the more satisfactory, as her Captain, François Beck, was an experienced cruiser, who commanded the French privateer Le Brave, during the late war, greatly to the annoyance of the trade.

An action which Admiral Rainier, commanding in the Indian Seas, characterized " as ranking with the most famous of the defensive kind ever recorded in the Annals of the British Navy," should have appeared under date 18th Sept. in our Annals of 1804, but we were misled, it having been noticed as occurring in 1805, in a record to which we referred. It was fought by the Centurion, 50 guns, Capt. James Lind, acting commander, in Vizagapatam Road, in charge of a convoy, with the Marengo, 81, Admiral Linois, and two frigates. After two hours cannonading, vigorously continued on both sides, the Marengo, with the frigates and prize Indiaman, stood to sea. The Centurion was much damaged in ber masts, yards, and rigging, but no men were killed, and only nine wounded, one of whom died soon after. The gallant Capt. Lind received the honour of Knighthood on his return to England in the spring of 1805; was made a K. C. B. in 1815; and died 12th June 1823. + Formerly British See May 12. Taken b See February 8.

their colours, their line gave way; Admiral Gravina, with ten ships, joining their frigates to leeward, stood towards Cadiz.* The five headmost ships in their van tacked, and standing to the southward, to windward of the British line, were engaged, and the sternmost of them taken; the others + went off, leaving to His Majesty's squadron 19 ships-of-the-line, (of which two were first rates, the Santissima Trinidad, and the Santa Anna,) with three flag officers, viz. Admiral Villeneuve, Don Ignatio Maria D'Aliva, Vice-Admiral, and the Spanish Rear-Admiral Don Baltazar Hidalgo Cisneros. Such a battle could not be fought without a great loss of men. The Commander-in-Chief, Lord Nelson, received a musket-ball in his left breast, and soon after expired. Capts. Duff, of the Mars, and Cooke,

The enemy had a superiority of 6 sail-of-the-line, were fresh from port, and in the most perfect state of equipment, and against such odds, this splendid victory was gained through the transcendant abilities of Nelson, and the bravery of his officers and men, and which would probably have been extended to the capture or destruction of every vessel of the enemy, had not the wind been so dull as to prevent the rear of the British fleet from coming up in proper time. The coolness, intrepidity, and bravery of the British seamen on this occasion, exceed all praise; the result of the admirable discipline which prevailed in the fleet, and which, combined with their native courage, gave them a decided and terrible superiority over their adversaries during the conflict, who nevertheless evinced uncommon resolution and firmness: indeed, the shattered condition of the captured ships, and their dreadful loss in killed and wounded, sufficiently prove this fact.

* On the return of Gravina to Cadiz, he was immediately ordered to sea again, and came out, which made it necessary for Admiral Collingwood to form a line, to cover the disabled hulls; but blowing hard at night, Gravina's ship, the Prince of Asturias, was dismasted, and he returned into port.

+ See November 3rd.

At about 15 minutes after one, standing on the quarter-deck, moving, as was his custom whenever he was much pleased, the shoulder or rather sleeve of his right arm up and down with great rapidity, he received a wound from a musket ball discharged by a marksman on the poop of the Bucentaure, which entered his left breast, and which he immediately declared to be mortal. To the

of the Bellerophon, were likewise amongst the slain. "After such a victory, it may appear unne." cessary to enter into encomiums on the particular parts taken by the several Commanders; the conclusion says more on the subject than I have language to express; the spirit which animated allwas the same; when all exert themselves zealously in their country's service, all deserve that their high merits should stand recorded; and never was high merit more conspicuous than in the battle I have described."-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD'S DISPATCH. The weather became so boisterous on the 22nd and 23rd, two days after the battle, as exposed the fleet to great danger; many of the prizes (13 or 14 in number) broke the tow rope, and drifted far to leeward before they were got hold of again; and some of them drifted upon the shore and sank. Admiral Collingwood, in these circumstances, determined to destroy all the captured ships that could be cleared of the men, considering that keeping possession of them was a matter of little consequence, compared with the chance of their falling again into the enemy's bands. This was accordingly effected. Four ships only of the many captured were brought into port.* There were 4000 troops embarked, under the command of Gen. last moment of his life, which now.ebbed fast, his solicitude for the event of the action never ceased; every consideration, save the anxious wish for the glory of his country, being dormant in him. He constantly, while below, demanded the news of the battle, and expressed the most lively satisfaction on being told it went well. About four his anxiety became extreme, and he repeatedly sent for Capt. Hardy, who fought his ship. This officer, however, could not consistently with prudence then quit the deck; at length, however, seeing the enemy striking their colours on every side, or flying the scene of action in confusion, assured of victory, Capt. Hardy carried the glad tidings to the dying hero, who after thanking God most fervently for the event, that he had survived long enough to have it made known to him, and that he had been enabled once more to do his duty to his country,shortly after expired without a groan!

In this place we consider the prayer of the immortal Nelson, on going to battle, may be most appropriately introduced. A beautiful letter written by the late King, when Prince Regent, on the death of this hero, is given in our last volume, p. 132.

"May the great God whom I worship, grant to my country, and for the benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious victory! and may no misconduct in any one tarnish it! and may humanity, after victory, be the permanent feature in the British fleet. For myself, individually, I commit my life to Him who made me, and may his blessing light upon my endeavours for serving my king and country faithfully. To Him I resign myself, and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend.-Amen."

"All the virtues which could adorn human nature were to be found in the illustrious Nelson. The attribute of mercy was what most eminently distinguished him. In the language of the poet, it was not his wish to

Wade through slaughter to a throne,

Or shut the gates of mercy on mankind.'

It was impossible the glorious example of such a man could be without a corresponding effect on the character of others. In this way was to be considered the conduct of many of those who were placed under his command.”— Lord Hawkesbury's Speech, Parliamentary Debates, Vol. 6, 1806. "The life and achievements of Lord Nelson would continue to animate the British Navy to the end of time."-Lord Castlereagh's Speech, ib.

* Abstract, showing how the combined fleet was disposed of :--Sent to Gibraltar 4; destroyed 15; in Cadiz, wrecks 6; ditto serviceable 4; escaped 4; total 33. Names and Rank of the flag-officers of the combined fleets :-Admiral Villeneuve, Commander-in-Chief, Bucentaure, taken; Admiral Don Frederico Gravina, Principe de Asturias, escaped into Cadiz, wounded in the arm; Vice-Admiral Don Ignatio Maria D'Aliva, Santa Ana, severely wounded in the head, taken, but was driven into Cadiz; Rear-Admiral Don Baltazar Hidalgo Cisneros, Santissima Trinidada, taken; Rear-Admiral Magon, Algesiras, killed; Rear Admiral Dumanoir, Formidable, escaped.

On Admiral Villeneuve's return from the West Indies, the French official paper, the Moniteur, had severely glanced at his conduct. Buonaparte had also spoken sarcastically of him, and it was generally understood that his command was about to be taken from him. Stung and mortified by these circumstances, he determined, contrary to the wish of the Spaniards, to give battle to Lord Nelson, who anxiously awaited him. He considered that a victory over the greatest naval hero of the age would have redeemed his character and covered him with glory, while a defeat could have added but little additional disgrace to his state of humiliation.

Contamin, who was taken, with Admiral Villeneuve, in the Bucentaure. The loss on board the Victory, Lord Nelson's flap-ship, was more severe than that of any other ship; Vice-Admiral Collingwood's ship was the next greatest sufferer. The total loss of the English in this dreadful battle was-officers 36 killed, 98 wounded; seamen, &c. 387 killed, 1056 wounded; making 423 killed, and 1154 wounded; Total 1587. The number of killed, wounded, and drowned of the combined fleets is not known, but must have been immense. Admiral Collingwood issued a General Order for a Thanksgiving Day on account of this glorious victory.*-St. Pedro, (Spanish,) corvette, 16 guns, 70 men, taken by the Iris, 32, T. Lavre, at sea.-22. Amphion, (Spanish,) ketch, 12 guns, 70 men, taken by Latona, 38, T. L. M. Gosselin, at sea.-29. Le President, (French,) brig, 4 guns, 70 men, taken by the Narcissus, 32, R. Donnelly, coast of Africa.

November 3.-The four French ships-of-the-line which had escaped from the battle of Trafalgar, taken by Commodore Sir Richard Strachan, off Cape Ortegal.+ "At half-past three the action ceased, the enemy having fought to admiration, and not surrendering till their ships were unmanageable." "If any thing could add to the good opinion I had already formed of the officers and crew of the Cæsar, it is their gallant conduct in this day's battle." "The Captains of the ships-of the-line and frigates speak in high terms of their officers and ship's companies."-DISPATCH.-5. A Thanksgiving-day was ordered for the victory of Trafalgar. Golondrina, (Spanish,) lugger, 4 guns, 29 men, taken by the Pomone, 38, W. G. Lobb, coast of Spain.-10. Biter, gun-brig, Lieut. T. Wingate, 14 B. 1801, run aground and destroyed near Calais, crew saved.-13. The Vengeur, (French,) brig, 14 guns, 56 men, taken by the Cruiser, sloop, 18, J. Hancock, Channel.-18. Woodlark, gun-brig, Lieut. Thomas Innes, 14 B. 1788, run aground and destroyed near St. Valery; crew saved. Les Dos Azares, (Spanish,) schooner, 2 guns, 36 men, taken by the Bacchante, 20, R. Macdonnell, Jamaica Station.-21. Bellona, (French,) schooner, 4 guns, 50 men, taken by the Renard, sloop, 18, Jeremiah Coghlan.-25. Brilliano, (Spanish,) lugger, 5 guns, 55 men, taken by the Aurieuz, 18, J. Johnstone, off Portugal.

December. Pigeon, schooner, J. S. Buckraft, 4 P. 1805, lost off the Texel; crew saved, but made prisoners.-10. Andromeda, (French,) 4 guns, 43 men, taken by the Spider, schooner, 14, Lieut. H. Shaw, Mediterranean.-16. L'Elizabeth, (French,) 14 guns, 102 men, taken by the Kingfisher, sloop, 18, N. D. Cochrane, Leeward Islands.-23. Sir Robert Calder tried by courtmartial for not bringing the French fleet a second time to action.‡-24. La Febre, 40, (French,) taken by La Loire, 40, F. L. Maitland, and L'Egyptienne, 40, Lieut. P. C. Handfield, (acting,) off Rochfort. Napoleon, (French,) ship, 32 guns, 250 men, driven on shore and wrecked near the Cape

* The honour of an Earldom to the representatives of the revered Nelson, with the accompaniment of a national residence and the means of due dignity, and a liberal provision to Lady Nelson, were quickly accorded by the King and Parliament. An annuity of 2000l. per annum, and a Peerage, were awarded to Admiral Collingwood, which the duration of a life worn out in the service did not permit him to enjoy; and the Order of the Bath to the third in command, who, already ennobled by birth, now doubly sealed it in glory. The City of London voted its freedom and a sword of 200 guineas value to Admiral Collingwood, and the freedom and a sword of 100 guineas value to Lord Northesk.

+ Sir Richard Strachan's squadron consisted of the Cæsar, 80 guns; Hero, 74, Hon. A. H. Gardiner; Courageux, 74, Richard Lee; and Namur, 74, L. W. Halsted; accompanied by the Santa Margarita, 36, W. Rathbone; Æolus, 32, Lord William Fitzroy; Phoenix, 36, Thomas Baker; and Revolutionaire, 36, H. Hotham. The French consisted of the Duguay Trouin, 74, (since Implacable,) Capt. Toufflet; Formidable, 80, (since Braave,) Rear-Admiral Dumanoir; Mont Blanc, 74, Capt. Villegrey; and Scipion, 74, Capt. Baronger. The action began about noon, and ended at half past three o'clock. The British had only 24 killed and 111 wounded. This small loss arose, as explained in the dispatches, from the enemy having (a nsual fault with French sailors) "fired high," and the English (a corresponding virtue in our seamen) having " quickly closed." The thanks of Parliament were given for this service; also a pension of 1000l. to Sir Richard; and the City of London voted him its freedom and a sword of 100 guineas value.

That 15 sail-of-the-line (See July 22nd), should not only withstand 20 of those of the enemy, and three large 50 gun ships, but also capture two of their largest vessels, was an event certainly well calculated to maintain the character of superiority which the Navy of England so justly challenges. It had happened, unfortunately, that the Admiral's dispatches, as well as the verbal report of the officer who brought them home, gave the strongest foundation for the belief that the action would be renewed upon the following day; the result of which, to an enemy already beaten, must be deemed almost total destruction. The public disappointment was, therefore, extreme, when intelligence arrived which put an end to all hopes of the kind, and led to the belief that the shattered squadrons of the enemy had gained, without farther molestation, a Spanish port. The murmurs of disapproba tion at the conduct of the British Admiral were so little restrained, that Sir Robert Calder returned to England to demand an investigation of his proceedings. He was accordingly tried by courtmartial, and the Court decided that the Admiral had not done his utmost to take or destroy every ship of the enemy which it was his duty to engage, but at the same time ascribed such conduct to error in judgment, and sentenced him to be severely reprimanded. Sir Robert had at this time meritoriously served for forty years, and was Captain to Earl St. Vincent on the proud day which gave that brave officer his title.