of modern times. It stands alone for the perfidiousness with which the French commenced it, and the atrocious system upon which it was persevered in by an individual the most ambitious of the human race, who was intoxicated with success, and whose heart and conscience were equally callous. For many months previous to its commencement, the Atlas was employed blockading Cadiz; but no sooner had the spirit of patriotism burst forth in Andalusia, than the officer whose flag she bore was seen hastening to offer every assistance in his power to the cause of the oppressed inhabitants. We should greatly exceed our limits were we to enter into a detailed account of the transactions in that quarter during the long protracted siege of Cadiz: an idea of the dangers to which the British officers and seamen were constantly exposed will be readily conceived, when we state, that the Atlas scarcely passed a day without being under the fire of the enemy’s batteries, and that her loss amounted to at least 50 men killed and wounded, including the casualties that occurred in gunboats manned by detachments from her crew.
In August 1810, the Council of Regency having assented to a proposal made by Lieutenant-General Graham and Sir Richard G. Keats, (successor to Vice-Admiral Purvis,) for the formation of a canal, navigable for gun-boats at low water, within the fort of Puntales, Captain Sanders was selected to survey the spot and discuss the points connected with it, in conjunction with several other British and Spanish officers. The destruction of Fort Catalina was likewise effected under his superintendance.
The Atlas being found defective, was at length ordered home and put out of commission in Dec. 1810. Previous to her departure from Cadiz, the Junta of that city made arrangements by which a large sum of money was sent to England in her, as a reward for Captain Sanders’ exertions at that place.
Captain Sanders remained on half-pay till Mar. 9, 1812, when he was appointed to the Junon of 46 guns, in which ship we find him cruising off the Chesapeake, and capturing several prizes at the commencement of the late war with America. He also led the squadron under Sir John B. Warren, when
