lively fire on the last battery we had to pass, and which I believe must otherwise have done us great damage. At half-past twelve, being out of reach of their shot, the firing ceased. Fortunately we had no person hurt. Some shot passed through the sails, part of the standing and running rigging cut away, and two French 36-pound shot, that struck the hull, was all the damage we received[1].
We are not exactly informed as to the manner in which Mr. Webley was employed from this period till the memorable battle of the Nile, when he served as first Lieutenant of the Zealous, 74, commanded by Captain Hood[2]. Being promoted for his conduct on that occasion, he was subsequently appointed to the Savage sloop of war, and continued to command her till the peace of Amiens.
It does not appear that he was again called into service till the latter end of 1806, when we find him commanding the Centaur 74, bearing the broad pendant of his friend, Commo-
- ↑ Lieutenant Joseph Turner, the officer alluded to in the above narrative, was made a Commander, October 7, 1794; and died about the month of May, 1816.
- ↑ Captain Hood was the officer who first discovered the French fleet in Aboukir Bay. On being asked by Nelson, “what he thought of attaching the enemy that night?” he replied, “We have now eleven fathoms water; and, if you will give me leave, I will lead in, making known my soundings by signal, and bring their van ship to action.” Late as it was, the firmness of this answer decided the Rear-Admiral, who said, “Go on, and I wish you success.” During this conversation the Goliah passed the Zealous, and took the lead, which she kept; but, not bringing up alongside the first ship, went on to engage the second. On this Captain Hood exclaimed to his officers, “Thank God! my friend Foley has left me the van ship.” He soon after took such a position on the bow of the Guerriere, the ship in question, as to shoot away all her masts, and effect her capture, in twelve minutes from the time that the Zealous commenced her fire. He afterwards engaged the flying ships until called off by signal. The Zealous, strange as it may appear, had only eight men killed and wounded on this glorious occasion. After this victory, Sir Horatio Nelson proceeded to Naples, leaving part of his squadron on the coast of Egypt, under the orders of Captain Hood, who kept the port of Alexandria closely blockaded; took and destroyed upwards of thirty of the neutral transports which had been employed in the service of the French army; and contributed, in a material degree, to the interests of Great Britain, by his amicable communications with the servants of the Grand Seignior.
