including Lieutenant E. Waller, wounded. The loss of the San Antonio is not known, but was no doubt very severe. The Commodore Le Roy was among her wounded. Captain Keats remained with his prize, whilst the rest of the squadron pursued the discomfited enemy[1].
From this period we find no particular mention of Captain Keats until towards the latter end of the year 1804, when he was despatched by Lord Nelson to Algiers, with a Consul, whom he succeeded in establishing most honourably, and thus put an end to the differences that had for some time subsisted between Great Britain and that Regency. The Superb afterwards accompanied that great commander to the West Indies, in the memorable pursuit of the combined fleets of France and Spain[2].
On the 9th Nov. 1805, our officer was honored with an appointment to one of the vacant Colonelcies of Royal Marines. About the same time his ship received the flag of Sir John Thomas Duckworth, who after the glorious battle off Cape Trafalgar, had been appointed second in command of the Mediterranean fleet, under Lord Collingwood, by whom he was sent in quest of a squadron which had sailed from France, with a view of succouring the important colony of St. Domingo.
- ↑ For further particulars of this action, see p. 191. On the return of the squadron to Gibraltar, Sir James Saumarez issued the following memorandum:
“Caesar, Rosia Bay, July 15, 1801.
“Rear-Admiral Sir James Saumarez has the happiness to offer his most heartfelt congratulations to the Captains, officers, and men of the ships he has the honour to command, on the signal success with which it has pleased Almighty God to crown their zealous exertions in the service of their country.
“To the discipline and valour of British seamen is to be ascribed their great superiority over the enemy, who, although more than treble the force of the English squadron in number of guns and weight of metal, have been so singularly defeated.
“The Rear-Admiral has not failed to transmit, in his late despatches, a report of the unparalleled exertions of all the officers and men in refitting his Majesty’s ships after the battle of Algeziras, (where their conduct and bravery were equally conspicuous,) which has led to the late glorious success.
(Signed)“James Saumarez,” - ↑ See Vice-Admiral Sir Pulteney Malcolm.
