Etaples, or the river Soraine, the Autumn and brigs being then too far to leeward to give them any interruption. As soon as the tide permitted this ship and the Leda to weigh, we stood in for Boulogne, when I perceived that a brig, a lugger, and several large boats, were stranded on the beach west of the harbour: the enemy were shipping and endeavouring to save from them what they could, but I have not a doubt the running tide would complete their destruction. Three other brigs and a lugger were on the rocks near the village of Portée, totally destroyed. A brig and two luggers remained at anchor close to the rocks, with wafts up, and the people huddled together abaft; the brig had lost her top-masts and lower yards, and one of the luggers the head of her main-mast; the sea was making a perfect breach over them, and if the gale continues her situation is hopeless.
“The merits of Captains Jackson and Heywood, as well as those of Lieutenants Richardson and Price, are so well known to you, that I need only say, they acted with the same decisive promptness they have always shewn; and though the night prevented my seeing all that passed, there cannot be a doubt but their well-timed attack caused the enemy’s confusion, and occasioned much of their loss, which, taking every circumstance into consideration, is I doubt not, far beyond what fell within our observation. I have not yet been able to collect the reports of these officers, but will forward them the moment they join me.”
In the French version of this affair,, no mention is made of the presence of the British. All is ascribed to the fury of the gale, which did, indeed, play havoc among the enemy’s flotilla. The exact number of gun-vessels that foundered, or were stranded, is not stated; but the account admits, that upwards of 400 soldiers went down in the former, and that a great many perished with the latter. Napoleon Buonaparte was a spectator of the scene, and, if we are to credit the French writers, evinced much sensibility on the occasion. He, no doubt, was taught a lesson by the disaster: seeing that the British cruisers were not all he had to fear, in his attempt to invade Great Britain.
Boulogne being the head-quarters of the grand armament preparing for that purpose, occupied a due share of our attention. The British squadron that cruised off that place in August, 1804, was under the orders of Rear-Admiral Louis, whose flag was flying on board the Leopard of 50 guns. The main body usually lay at anchor, in fifteen fathoms water, about ten miles N.W. of the port; and a division of five or six vessels, commanded by Captain Owen, generally cruised just out of the range of the enemy’s shells, which were fired
