sembling, Captains Lockyer and Spencer came on board the Hermes, and on my desiring their opinion as to the probable result of an attempt to escalade the fort, they both agreed that it was impracticable under existing circumstances, at the same time offering their services to lead the party if it should be sent. In this opinion I coincided with them.
“The ship being entirely disabled, and there being no possibility of removing her from the position in which she lay, I thought it unjustifiable to expose the remaining men to the showers of grape and langrege incessantly poured in, and Captains Lockyer and Spencer, who saw the state of the ship, giving it as their decided opinion, that she could not by any means bo got off, I determined to destroy her. Captain Lockyer was now ordered to return to the Sophie, to send the boats remaining in the squadron to remove the wounded and other men, and to weigh; at the same time the signal was made for the other ships to prepare to do so. The crew being removed, and seeing the rest of the squadron under weigh, at 7-20, assisted by Mr. Alfred Matthews, second Lieutenant (Mr. Peter Maingy, first Lieutenant having been ordered away to take charge of the people), I performed the painful duty of setting fire to H.M. ship.
“I then went on board the Sophie, and finding it impossible to cross the bar in the night, anchored the squadron about 1 1/2 miles from the fort: at 10 P.M. I had the melancholy satisfaction of seeing the Hermes blow up in the same spot in which I left her.
“During the night, the ships partly repaired the damages in their rigging; and at day-light I took them out over the bar, having previously communicated with the commanding officer of the detachment, and desired that he would fall back upon Bon Secour.
“Although this attack has thus unfortunately failed, I should be guilty of the greatest injustice did I not inform you, Sir, of the high sense I entertain of the intrepidity and coolness displayed throughout the action by the officers, petty officers, and crew of H.M. late ship Hermes: from Mr. Peter Maingy, the first Lieutenant, I received the greatest assistance; and I beg to mention the activity and good conduct of Mr. Alfred Matthews, second Lieutenant; in Mr. Pyne, Master, who fell early in the action, the service has sustained a severe loss. Lieutenant-Colonel Nicolls, having been seriously ill on shore, had been removed to the Hermes, and was on board during the action; it is almost unnecessary for me to mention of him that he was actively assisting on deck, to which post he returned after a severe wound which he received in the head had been dressed.
“It if also my most pleasing duty to inform you. Sir, that I received every possible assistance both before and during the action from Captains Nicholas Lockyer, of the Sophie; the Hon. Robert Cavendish Spencer, of the Carron; and Captain John Brand Umfreville, of the Childers, To Captains Lockyer and Spencer I am particularly indebted for their assistance when on board the Hermes during the action, and at so anxious a moment of it. It is with great pleasure I have to add, that the captains of the squadron have expressed their highest approbation of the steady and cool