pendant in the Clyde frigate[1], was tempted not to lose a favorable coincidence of wind, weather, and tide, far from frequent on that station so late in the autumn. Accordingly, on the evening of that day, boats, armed in an appropriate manner, took their stations in Boulogne Bay, to the number of eighteen.
Notwithstanding the want of expertness naturally attendant upon a first apprenticeship, not less than 200 rockets were discharged in half an hour; and in about ten minutes the town appeared on fire: while such was the panic on shore, that scarcely a shot was returned from the batteries. The nature and extent of the mischief could never be thoroughly ascertained: it was reported, however, that some vessels in the harbour were destroyed; and it is certain that a considerable range of buildings, apparently barracks or store-houses, were burnt – the fire could not, from its duration, have been trifling, having blazed from two A.M. till the evening. The ruins of eight buildings were discernible from the Clyde; and from the extreme jealousy with which Lord Lauderdale and his retinue were guarded on passing through the town a few days afterwards, there is reason to believe the ravages were serious, and more extensive than met the eye on board Commodore Owen’s squadron[2]. It was only to be regretted that the conflagration had not taken effect more to the right, where the bulk of the flotilla lay: nevertheless, the efficiency of the weapon, and the vulnerability of Boulogne, were completely shewn; since it could not be doubted that what had destroyed houses of substantial masonry, would have annihilated shipping, crowded together in a dock, had it fallen amongst them: besides, as the part of the town burnt was
- ↑ Broad pendants were first ordered to he worn by officers commanding squadrons as Commodores, in the year 1674.
- ↑ In order to relieve the compunctious visitings of such cosmopolite patriots as reserve their philanthropic sympathies for the enemies of their country, be it known, that the destruction of the town formed no part of that project, nor was it wantonly attempted: but the precise situation of the flotilla basin not being visible from the cruising station, owing to the interposition of rising ground on the western side of the harbour, the rockets were thrown by guess in the dark, rather too much to the eastward.
