attack upon the enemy with fire-ships; and that, had not their Lordships fixed upon him to conduct the enterprise, I have full confidence that the result of their efforts would have been highly creditable to them.
“I should feel that I did not do justice to the services of Captain Godfrey of the AEtna, in bombarding the enemy’s ships on the 12th, and nearly all the day of the 13th, if I did not recommend him to their Lordships’ notice; and I cannot omit bearing due testimony to the anxious desire expressed by Mr. Congreve, to be employed wherever I might conceive his services, in the management of his rockets, would be useful; some of them were placed in the fire-ships with effect; and I have every reason to be satisfied with the artillerymen and others who had the management of them, under Mr. Congreve’s direction.
“The number of the killed, wounded, and missing of the fleet, I am happy to observe, is comparatively small. I have not yet received the returns of the number of prisoners taken, but conceive they amount to between four and five hundred.
“I have charged Sir Harry Neale with this despatch (by the Imperieuse), and I beg leave to refer their Lordships to him, as also to Lord Cochrane, for any further particulars of which they may wish to be informed.
(Signed)“Gambier.”
A list of the French ships in Aix Roads, previous to the attack on the 11th April, shewing the manner in which they were disposed of.
L’Ocean, 120 guns, Foudroyant, 80, and Cassard, 74, on shore under Fouras. Tourville, 74, aground in the river. Regulus and Jemappe, 74’s, and a frigate, on shore under Madame. Tonnerre, 74, and Indienne frigate, burnt by the enemy. Ville de Varsovie, 80, Aquilon, 74, and Calcutta, 56, (the latter laden with flour and military stores) burnt by the British. Patriote, 74, and two frigates, lying in the Charente.
On the 3d Feb. 1810, Captain Bligh had the good fortune to capture the French frigate Cannoniere (formerly la Minerve, in the British service), laden with the spoil of the principal prizes which the enemy had taken in the East Indies during the three preceding years. She had been lent to the merchants of the Mauritius, for the purpose of transporting this valuable cargo to France, and was within a few hours sail of Belleisle when met by the Valiant.
In 1815, the insignia of a C.B. was conferred on Captain Bligh, as a reward for his active and unremitted services. He became a Rear-Admiral July 19, 1821.
Our officer married, first, 1798, Sarah, youngest daughter of Henry Sebastian Leeke, of Yaxley Hall, co. Suffolk, Esq.; and secondly, in 1809, Cecilia, youngest daughter of the late Governor Moultrie.
Residence.– Fareham, Hants.
