ith the Zealous at about half-past six.

In ten minutes afterwards the signal for close action was made, and
repeated by most of the fleet; at the same time, the Goliath, having
passed round the enemy's headmost ship, anchored on the quarter of the
second; while the Zealous took her position on the bow of the former
ship; both anchoring by the stern. The batteries on the island of
Bequir or Aboukir, and the headmost ships, opened their fire as the
leading ship approached; and they in return opened theirs on rounding
the advanced ship of the enemy's line.

The Orion, after giving that ship her broadside, passed round the
Zealous and Goliath; and, as she was passing the third ship of the
enemy, the French frigate Serieuse approached, began to fire on her,
and wounded two men. In reply to an observation of one of the
officers, who proposed to return her fire immediately, Sir James said,
"Let her alone, she will get courage and come nearer. Shorten sail."
As the Orion lost way by shortening sail, the frigate came up; and,
when judged to be sufficiently advanced, orders were given to yaw the
Orion, and stand by the starboard guns, which were double-shotted. The
moment having arrived when every gun was brought to bear, the fatal
order to fire was given; when, by this single but well-directed
broadside, the unfortunate Serieuse was not only totally dismasted,
but shortly afterwards sunk, and was discovered next morning with only
her quarter above water.

On discharging this fatal broadside the helm was put hard a-starboard;
but it was found that the ship would not fetch sufficiently to
windward, and near to the Goliath, if she anchored by the stern. She
stood on, and, having given the fourth ship her starboard broadside,
let go her bower anchor, and brought up on the quarter of Le Peuple
Souverain, which was the fifth ship, and on the bow of Le Franklin,
the sixth ship of the enemy's line. The third and fourth ships were
occupied by the Theseus and Audacious on the inside, by passing
through; while they were attacked on the outside by the Minotaur,
Vanguard, and Defence.

By the log of the Orion it was forty-five minutes past six o'clock
when that ship let go her anchor, and, in "tending," poured her
starboard broadside into the Franklin and L'Orient. The fire was then
directed on Le Peuple Souverain, until she cut and dropped out of the
line, totally dismasted and silenced.

[Illustration]

EXPLANATION.

B