quainted with the dangerous navigation of the river, and the weather was at first very thick and threatening, though the sky became clear after the ships had got fairly into the stream. Standing on the fore-part of the Egmont’s poop, with the chart spread before him, and the master by his side, he conducted the pilotage himself, to the astonishment of a Frenchman who had had charge of the Egmont when she was employed in the blockade of Rochefort, but who was wholly unacquainted with the Gironde. The most useful aid he received was from the enemy, when they attempted to check his progress; for as the first shot fired from Point Coubre went over him, it shewed that he was within the Mauvaise bank, and consequently clear of the greatest danger. This information Rear-Admiral Penrose acknowledged by a thankful bow to the battery.
The Regulus, a French 74, the Sans Souci corvette, two brigs of war, and several other armed vessels, were then at anchor off Royan; but being informed, by telegraph, that the British were superior in force, they weighed and ran higher up the river; pursued by the Egmont and her consorts under a crowd of sail. As all the batteries on the northern shore opened, in succession, a heavy fire of shot and shells, the whole formed a grand and imposing spectacle. Having proceeded as high as the shoal of Talmont, the French squadron entered the narrow channel between it and the main, which had been buoyed in expectation of their retreat thither; the passage being protected by a very strong fort.
It was not until the 29th March that any communication could be opened with the army. On that day, Rear-Admiral Penrose extended his small vessels up the Gironde; and ordered Captain Hext to throw some shells in the direction of the Regulus, but only by way of practice.
On the 30th, the position of the British army having caused the garrison of Castillon to retire, Rear-Admiral Penrose again removed to the Porcupine, and proceeded from Verdun road to an anchorage off the abandoned town; taking with him the Andromache, Vesuvius, Challenger, Podargus, and
