assage in some places scarcely wide enough to admit of our
studding-sail booms being out, of running the Dictator's bow
upon the land with her broadside towards the enemy (within
hail) as per margin, (Nayaden, Laaland, Samsoe, and Kiel,)
who were anchored with springs on their cables close together,
and supported by gun-boats, in the small creek of Lingoe, the
Calypso most nobly following us up. In half an hour the frigate
was literally battered to atoms, and the flames bursting forth
from her hatchways; the brigs had also struck, and most of the
gun-boats were completely beaten, and some sunk.

The action had scarcely ceased and the ship afloat, than we
found ourselves again attacked by gun-boats, which had
retreated on seeing the fate of their squadron, and were again
collecting from all quarters; but Captain Weir, of the Calypso,
having taking a most advantageous position, engaged them with
the greatest gallantry and effect. Indeed I am at a loss how to
express my approbation of the prompt exertion of this gallant
and meritorious officer. The Podargus and Flamer, in the mean
time, were warmly engaged with numerous batteries and
gun-boats, both brigs being aground; but by the uncommon
exertion and extreme gallantry of Capt. Robilliard, and the
officers and crews of the brigs, they at last got afloat, very
much cut up. On this occasion Lieut. England particularly
distinguished himself.

At three A.M. having got the Dictator, Calypso, and prize brigs
in the fair way, we attempted to get out through the passage,
when we were assailed by a division of gun-boats from behind
the rocks, so situated that not a gun could be brought to bear
on them from either vessel. In this situation the prize brigs
grounded, and notwithstanding every exertion on the part of
Lieut. James Wilkie of this ship, who was on board the Laaland,
and had extinguished a fire on board her, which was burning
with great fury, and Lieut. Hooper of the Calypso, in the Kiel,
we had to abandon them complete wrecks, humanity forbidding us
setting them on fire, owing to the number of wounded men they
had on board.

Captain Stewart's letter concludes with the highest praise on all the
officers and men in the squadron he commanded, and subjoins a list of
nine men killed, and thirty-seven