fire should be reserved until they were certain of hitting her. The Redwing’s crew were then ranged along the gunwales, in order that every man might know his particular station; and the boarding-nettings were purposely kept down, as an additional encouragement to the Spaniards to come alongside.
Having thus prepared for meeting the enemy upon their own terms, the Redwing’s gallant crew were allowed to give three cheers, which seemed to have a magical effect upon their foes, who instantly backed water, and continued doing so whilst their commodore spoke the different vessels under his convoy. Having at length arrived within pistol-shot, the Redwing’s broadside went off like a single gun, the shot all striking the Diligente at the water line, and cutting her open fore and aft: after giving two or three heavy rolls, she turned over and went down, with all on board. The Boreas soon shared a similar fate; and by nine o’clock two other vessels had also disappeared, they having pushed into a heavy surf, whereby all their wounded men were sacrificed. Four of the merchantmen, following their example, were likewise sunk; and seven, together with the armed mistico, taken by the Redwing – only the felucca, one gun-boat, and one merchant vessel effected their escape, which they would not have done had the British brig been in a condition to carry sail; but, fortunately for them, her foremast was crippled by two shot (24-pounders); another had passed through the mainmast, the gammoning of her bow-sprit was shot through, and the knee of the head cut asunder: her loss, however, was very trivial, only one man being slain, and the master, purser, and one sailor wounded. The Spaniards, according to their own confession, had no less than 240 killed, drowned, and taken prisoners[1],
“Considering that, among the 22 guns of the Redwing’s
- ↑ When the Boreas sunk, Captain Ussher despatched his only boat to try and save as many of the Spaniards as possible; but, to the eternal disgrace of those on board the other gun-vessels, they disregarded the flag of truce, which humanity alone induced him to hoist, and, continuing their fire, compelled him to recall the gallant fellows whom he had sent to rescue his unfortunate antagonists.
