s its
force, as intended, took place upwards, the shells and grenades exploded
far overhead, scattering their contents over a wide area, and the boat
itself lay inside the circle of destruction. We on board the _Imperieuse_,
which was anchored three miles away, felt the shock as if the ship had
struck heavily on a rock. For a moment the sky seemed a sheet of fire.
Then came the crash of the exploding shells and the rattle of the
grenades, and then a roar as the fragments and pieces of wreck fell into
the sea.

"The fire-ships were very badly handled. Many of them were lighted over
four miles from the enemy, some were put on the wrong tack before they
were left by the crews; and although there were upwards of twenty in
number only four reached the enemy's position, and not one did any damage
whatever. Nevertheless, the desired effect was produced--the
explosion-vessel was alongside the boom when she blew up and completely
shattered it. The enemy were so appalled by the explosion that, believing
the fire-ships were equally formidable, they not only made no attempt to
divert their course, but with one exception all the French ships cut their
cables; and when morning dawned, the whole of their fleet except two ships
were helplessly ashore. The tide had ebbed, and they all lay over on their
side, with their bottoms exposed to fire, and had Lord Gambier sent but
two or three ships in to complete the work of destruction not one of the
powerful French squadron would have escaped.

"The forts had begun to open upon us, therefore we sailed away towards the
fleet that was lying ten miles off, and on getting within signalling
distance, Cochrane signalled that all the enemy's ships except two were on
shore, and that the frigates alone could destroy them. Beyond
acknowledging the signals no notice was taken, and it was not until eleven
o'clock that the fleet got up anchor, and then, sailing in to within three
miles and a half of the road, anchored again. By this time the tide had
risen, and most of the enemy's ships were already afloat. Furious at
seeing the result of this attack absolutely thrown away, Cochrane ordered
the anchor to be weighed, and allowed his vessel to drift towards the
enemy. He could not get up sail, as he knew that he should be at once
recalled if he did so, he therefore drifted until but a short distance
from the enemy. Then at half-past one he suddenly made sail and ran
towards them, hoisting at the same time