a man on board acquainted with the place: as neither the masters nor the pilots of either of the ships conceived themselves equal to the charge, I did not hesitate to accept his kind offer, well knowing that the British flag would meet with nothing but honor in such hands.
“In the entrance of the passage, the Podargus unfortunately took the ground; by which circumstance I was deprived of the valuable and gallant services of her commander during the remainder of the day, and was, in consequence, obliged to leave the Flamer to her assistance; but in Captain Weir I found every thing that could be wished for, which in a great measure made up for the loss I had sustained in the Podargus and Flamer. By this time, half-past seven P.M., we had arrived within one mile of the enemy, who were running inside the rocks under a press of sail; the Calypso, which had also grounded for a short time, was now leading us through the passage, and we were both engaged with the squadron and numerous gun-boats. At half-past nine, I had the satisfaction, after sailing 12 miles through a passage 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, their force as per margin[1]. The whole anchored with springs on their cables, close together, and supported by gun-boats, in the small creek of Lyngoe: the Calypso most nobly followed us up.
“In half an hour the frigate was literally battered to atoms, and the flames were bursting forth from her hatchways; the brigs had also struck, and most of the gun-boats were completely beaten, – some of them sunk. The action had scarcely ceased, and the Dictator floated, when we found ourselves again attacked by the gun-boats, which had retreated on seeing the fate of their squadron, and were again collecting from all quarters; but Captain Weir, having taken 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 of them being aground; but by the uncommon exertion and extreme gallantry of Captain Robilliard, and their officers and crews, they at last got afloat: on this occasion, Lieutenant England particularly distinguished himself.
“At 3 A.M., having got the Dictator, Calypso, and prize brigs in the fair way, we attempted to get out through the passages, 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- ↑ Nayaden frigate, mounting 60 guns, long twenty-four-pounders on the main-deck, with a complement of 320 men; Lauland of 20 guns, long eighteen-pounders, and 125 men; and Samaoe and Kiel, each carrying 18 long eighteen-pounders and 125 men.
