er designs of
this very important expedition. The repairs were not long compleating,
and the prizes were soon disposed of; of the latter, all but one--the
Holstein of sixty-four guns--were found entirely unfit for service, and
immediately destroyed. Even this solitary remain of the Danish
formidable line of defence, was only judged worthy of being commissioned
as an hospital-ship in the British fleet; yet villainy and weakness
united to wrest from our hero the honour of a compleat victory, even on
the spot where it had been felt as well as witnessed.

Lord Nelson, after the battle of the 2d of April, had returned with his
flag to the St. George; and, on the 16th, was ready to proceed after the
commander in chief, who had entered the Baltic, and greatly alarmed the
Russians, Prussians, and Swedes. Most of the squadron of his lordship,
however, touched the ground, in their passage through the narrow and
shallow channel which divides the islands of Amak and Saltholm, and two
or three of them actually sticking fast for a short time, he was
detained, even after they did pass, to have the St. George lightened,
which drew still more water than the rest, by taking out the guns, and
putting them on board an American ship. While this was effecting, the
report of the Swedish fleet being out, with an intention to join that
of Russia, then lying at Revel, reached his lordship. The instant he
received this intelligence, though it was then a very cold evening of
that climate, he descended into his gig, or smallest boat; and, after
being so exposed on the water several hours, got again on board the
Elephant, the former bearer of his flag and triumph. Lord Nelson, in his
extreme haste to quit the St. George, had neglected to take his
boat-cloak; but he would not lose a moment in returning for it,
notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather and the great distance he
had necessarily to go. A master of one of the ships, who was ordered to
attend, earnestly pressed his lordship's acceptance of a great coat
which he had brought for himself. This, however, was as kindly refused,
as it had been affectionately tendered--"I thank you," said the hero,
"very much; but, to tell you the truth, my anxiety, at present, keeps me
sufficiently warm." Soon afterwards, his lordship asked--"Think you,
that the British fleet has quitted Bornholm? If it has," continued he,
without waiting for a reply, "we must follow it to Carlscrona." His
lordship had arri