rder to
collect our ships. We made sail, directing our course to the
W.N.W., not choosing to go more before the wind, lest the wind,
which was very strong, would carry away our masts. We passed the
night in the greatest disquietude, not knowing whether the
vessels which were in sight were not enemies. At length the day
dissipated part of our fears, and we found ourselves in the
midst of our fleet, with the exception of the two ships of three
decks, viz. the Hermenegildo and Real Carlos, and the Formidable
and the St. Antoine. The wind having fallen calm, it became
impossible to go in search of the vessels which had separated.
We were then six leagues west of Cadiz.

At half-past four the Dessaix made a signal that she had sprung
a leak, and that the water gained upon her thirty inches an
hour. She demanded assistance, which was granted. At five
o'clock we heard an action in the east, and perceived a smoke.
The wind being then from the S.E., we made the signal for the
line of battle to be formed as quickly as possible, without
regard to places, in order to assist the vessel that was
engaged. At half-past six the action ceased, and a most perfect
calm succeeded. At eleven, the wind rising again, we perceived
four vessels at a considerable distance from one another. We
flattered ourselves at first that they were our ships, but we
soon found by their manoeuvres that they were enemies. We also
distinguished the Formidable close under the land, making the
best of her way to Cadiz. We stood for the port, from which a
felucca brought me a letter from the captain of the Formidable,
which had been anchored in the Road of Cadiz, stating that in
the morning he had engaged two ships of the line and a frigate,
and that one of the ships of the line had been completely
dismasted, and had been towed away by a frigate. We then
anchored in Cadiz.

I must acknowledge the consummate experience and talents of
General Moreno, as well as the zeal and care which he displayed
for the success of his mission. If separations have taken place,
they must be attributed to the darkness of the night, and the
necessity which there was of getting away from the vessels that
were on fire. That officer, on hearing at Cadiz of the
destruction of two ships of his squadron, Hermenegildo and
Real-Carlos, was justly struck with grief on the occ