cape.

On the 10th of January, they arrived, from this unsuccessful cruise, in
the Gulph of St. Fiorenzo; where, a few days after, in a very heavy sea,
the Berwick, of seventy-four guns, Captain Smith, which was preparing to
join the fleet, not having the rigging set up, lost all it's masts, and
was rendered a complete wreck. The superiority of the Toulon fleet, at
that time, rendered this a very serious misfortune, and it led to one
which proved still greater.

The French, in fact, had sixteen ships of the line, besides the Sans
Culotte of a hundred and twenty guns, with twelve frigates and five
corvettes, then in the harbour; and thirty Marseilles ships were also
fitting out as transports, generally supposed to be intended for the
conveyance of troops on an expedition against our newly-acquired kingdom
of Corsica.

Admiral Hotham, in the mean time, was desirous of getting again to sea,
for the purpose of covering the convoy and expected reinforcements from
England; and this he was obliged to effect without waiting longer for
the Berwick. He had, in truth, at this period, much to contend with. His
fleet was only half manned; Italy was calling him to her defence; and
Corsica perpetually demanding the reinforcements and convoy hourly
expected.

The French, well aware how inadequate, in numbers and in strength,
Admiral Hotham must necessarily be for the accomplishment of all these
objects in the face of such superior force, came out with positive
orders to seek and to destroy the British Mediterranean fleet. This
being effected, which their presumption left them no doubt would soon
happen, their troops were to be landed, and the kingdom of Corsica
retaken.

On the 8th of March, Admiral Hotham being in Leghorn Road, received an
express from Genoa, that the French fleet, consisting of fifteen sail of
the line and three frigates, was seen on the 6th instant off the Isle of
Marguerite. This intelligence corresponding with a signal made from the
Moselle, then in the offing, for a fleet in the north-west quarter, he
immediately caused the squadron to be unmoored; and, at day-break the
following morning, put to sea, in pursuit of the enemy.

The Moselle having brought intelligence that the fleet seen was steering
to the southward, Admiral Hotham shaped his course for Corsica, lest
their destination should be against that island; dispatching the
Tarleton brig to St. Fiorenzo, with orders for the Berwick to join him
off Ca