mel_ having been despatched from Corrientes to Monte Video, as
she approached the batteries of San Lorenzo, Commander Sulivan made
preparations to pass them. Knowing that he could pass under the cliffs,
he judged it best to hug them as closely as possible, lest any guns
should already be mounted. Having made a barricade of hammocks and bags
for the helmsman, he sent all hands below to be out of harm's way,--he
himself only, and his first lieutenant, remaining on deck to con the
brig. Slowly and silently the little vessel drew near the point of
danger. A light and favourable air filled her sails, and, almost
grazing the perpendicular cliff, she glided slowly by. When the brig
was close under the first battery, the enemy opened their fire at her;
but so near was she to the cliffs, that they could not sufficiently
depress their guns to touch her decks, their lowest shot going through
the boom-mainsail, four or five feet above the hammock-netting. They
continued their ineffectual fire till the gallant little _Philomel_ was
quite clear and out of range.

HM steamer _Lizard_, HM Tylden, lieutenant in command, which was sent up
the Parana on the 21st of April, was not so fortunate in escaping
without damage. When about six miles from San Lorenzo, Lieutenant
Tylden observed that large batteries had been erected on a commanding
point, and that the adjacent coast was lined with artillery and
field-pieces. As the _Lizard_ approached the batteries, Lieutenant
Tylden ordered three ensigns to be hoisted, as a signal to the enemy
that he intended to fight as long as the ship floated. At half-past
eleven a.m., the northern batteries opened a heavy fire; and on
approaching nearer, the other batteries and artillery commenced a quick
and well-directed fire also, which was returned by the _Lizard_ with
rockets and her forecastle gun, until the rocket-stand was shot away,
and the gun could no longer be elevated sufficiently to bear on the
enemy.

When the gallant commander found that the heavy shot, grape, and
musketry were riddling his vessel from stem to stern, he ordered the
officers and men to go below, with the exception of those absolutely
required on deck, in the hopes that they might thus escape injury.
Scarcely, however, had they gone below, when two shots entered the
gun-room, one of which killed Mr Barnes, clerk in charge, and the other
Mr Webb, master's assistant. Two seamen also were killed; and Mr
Miller, assistant