and continued it for six hours against a great superiority of fire, particularly from the army on shore, the howitzer-shells annoying them much. These officers deserve the highest praise I can give them. They speak of the conduct of their lieutenants, officers, and crews in terms of warm panegyric. Messrs. Budd and Dalyell, from the Antelope, acted in the absence of two Lieutenants belonging to the Cruiser and Rattler. Lieutenants Garrety and Patful, commanding the Favourite and Stag, cutters, did their best with their small guns against greater numbers of greater calibre. * * * * * *
“I could not detach open boats into the enemy’s line to pick up those vessels which had struck, and were deserted, mixed as they were with those still firing. Captain Hancock sent me one schuyt that had hauled out of the line and surrendered. She had a Lieutenant and 23 soldiers of the 48th regiment, with 5 Dutch seamen on board. She is so useful here I cannot part with her yet. Enclosed is a list of our loss, which, though great, is less than might have been expected, owing to the enemy directing their fire at our masts. The Rattler and the Cruiser have of course suffered most in the latter respect, but are nearly ready for service again. The smoke would not allow us to see the effect of our shot on the enemy; but their loss, considering the number of them so long under our guns, must be great in proportion[1]. We see the mast-heads above water of three of the schooners and one of the schuyts which were sunk. I have the honor to be, &c.
“Right Hon. Lord Keith, K.B.”
Two attempts to destroy la Ville-d’Anvers and the other grounded vessels were afterwards made by part of Sir W.
- ↑ The British had altogether 13 killed and 33 wounded; the acknowledged loss on the part of the enemy amounted to 18 killed and 60 wounded; 4 of the former, and 29 of the latter, are said to have belonged to the two praams. The Cruiser had 1 man killed, and the Captain’s Clerk (Mr. George Ellis) and 3 men wounded; site also had her sails and rigging much cut; and received 2 large shot far under water. The Rattler had 2 men killed and 10 wounded. Her damages will be noticed in our memoir of Captain Francis Mason, C.B.
