thers. The
_Severn_ lay ahead of the _Leander_, with all her starboard broadside
bearing upon the Fishmarket battery. Beyond her the _Glasgow_ fired upon
the town batteries with her larboard guns. The Dutch squadron took the
assigned position, before the works to the southward of the town. It was
their Admiral's intention to place the _Melampus_ in the centre; but his
second ahead, the _Diana_, having anchored too far to the southward to
allow this, he pushed the _Melampus_ past her, and anchored close astern
of the _Glasgow_.

The two smaller frigates, the _Hebrus_ and _Granicus_, were left to take
part in the battle wherever they might find an opening. Eager to gain a
position, in the line, the _Hebrus_ pressed forward to place herself
next the flag-ship, till, becalmed by the cannonade, she was obliged to
anchor on the _Queen Charlotte's_ larboard quarter. Captain Wise, of the
_Granicus_, waited until all the ships had taken their stations. Then,
setting topgallant-sails and courses, he steered for where Lord
Exmouth's flag was seen towering above the smoke; and with a seamanship
equalled only by his intrepidity, anchored in the open space between the
_Queen Charlotte_ and _Superb_; thus, with a small-class frigate, taking
a position, of which, said Lord Exmouth, a three-decker might be justly
proud.

Eastward of the Lighthouse, at the distance of two thousand yards, were
placed the bomb-vessels; whose shells were thrown with admirable
precision by the Marine Artillery. The smaller vessels, except the
_Mutine_, which anchored, continued under sail, firing occasionally
wherever they saw opportunity. The flotilla of gun, rocket, and mortar
boats, directed, by Captain Michell, were distributed at the openings
between the line-of-battle ships, and at the entrance to the Mole.

Thus the ships commanded the strongest of the enemy's defences, while
they were exposed to the weakest part of his fire. The officers and men
felt new confidence when they saw the power derived from the admirable
disposition of their force. All behaved most nobly; and it was not long
before the state of the Algerine batteries gave proof that their courage
was fully equalled by their skill.

In a few minutes, indeed before the battle had become general, the
_Queen Charlotte_ had ruined the fortifications on the Mole-head. She
then sprang her broadside towards the northward, to bear upon the
batteries over the gate which leads to the Mole, and up