barbarians’ ships being in flames, and certain of the destruction of the whole, Lord Exmouth considered he had executed the most important part of his instructions, and made preparations for withdrawing the ships. After much warping and towing, by the help of a light air of wind, the whole came to an anchor out of reach of shells, about two in the morning, after twelve hours incessant labour.
The flotilla of mortar, gun, and rocket-boats, shared to the full extent of their power in the honours of this day, and performed good service; it was by their fire all the ships in the port (with the exception of the outer frigate) were in flames, which extended rapidly over the whole arsenal, &c. exhibiting a spectacle of awful grandeur and interest, no pen can describe.
The sloops of war which had been appropriated to aid and assist the ships of the line, and prepare for their retreat, performed not only that duty well, but embraced every opportunity of firing through the intervals, and were constantly in motion.
The shells from the bombs were admirably well thrown by the Royal Marine Artillery; and although crossing over the large ships, not an accident occurred. The Dutch Admiral Van Capellan, with his frigates, covered the British ships from the enemy’s flanking batteries, on which he kept up a good fire.
The result of this dreadful conflict was; The abolition, for ever, of Christian slavery. The liberation of all slaves in the territory of Algiers. Reparation to the British Consul for all losses sustained by him in consequence of his confinement. A public apology made by the. Dey to the same gentleman. The recovery of 382,500 dollars for Naples and Sardinia. The destruction of four large frigates, of 44 guns each; five large corvettes, from 24 to 30 guns each; thirty gun and mortar-boats; several merchant brigs and schooners; a number of small vessels of various descriptions; all the pontoons, lighters, &c.; and a great many gun-carriages, mortar-beds, casks, and ships’ stores of all descriptions; besides the store-houses and arsenal, with all the timber and various marine articles, destroyed in part, and between 6 and 7000 Algerines killed and wounded.
