Withers, and Williams, Midshipmen, at the head of the boarders and troops, entered the San Nicholas on the larboard quarter, and from her boarded the San Josef, whose colours they hauled down at 5 minutes before 4 o’clock; the latter mounting 112 guns, Rear-Admiral Winthuysen; and the former 84 guns, Commodore Gerraldelino[1]. Pound the San Nicholas on fire, but extinguished it. At 5, all firing ceased. While we were entangled with both ships, discovered the San Nicholas to be on fire again in the fore hold, but it was happily extinguished by our firemen. Commodore went on board the Irresistible. At six got clear of the prizes. Wore to join the fleet, having been between them and the enemy, who stood towards us with a fresh breeze, but hauled their wind again. Employed cutting away the remnant of the fore-sail, and clearing the wreck of the fore-top-mast. At 7, la Minerve took us in tow; our standing and running rigging, with all the bending sails, being cut to pieces; our wheel, fore-top-mast, and fore-top, shot away, and our masts severely wounded; the main-mast having three shot through the heart. Employed filling powder, getting up shot, knotting and splicing the rigging, and preparing to renew the battle. * * * * *
“ * * * * *. Found we had 24 men killed, and 56 wounded. In the Spaniards we took, the slaughter must have been very great, as there were people employed all night throwing the dead overboard.”
The document just given is more peculiarly valuable, inasmuch as it is a plain relation of facts, given in the most summary way, on the instant of their taking place; and serves to establish beyond controversy a point, which those who are sceptically inclined, might otherwise demur to[2].
Lieutenant Noble was promoted to the rank of Commander immediately after this brilliant action;. but his health being very much impaired, he was under the necessity of returning to England, and accepting a command in the Sea Fencible service on the coast of Sussex, where he continued from March 1798 till the conclusion of the war. His post commission bears date April 29, 1802.
Captain Noble married, in 1801, Sarah, daughter of James Lamb, of Rye, Sussex, Esq. and by that lady, who died in
- ↑ Those officers were both mortally wounded, and died soon after the action.
- ↑ A Flag-Officer, to whom the author is indebted for many acts of kindness, doubts the possibility of Commodore Nelson’s ship and her prizes falling into the hands of the enemy; and speaking of the passage to that effect in Vol. I, p. 26, says, “it is a hardy assertion, and not borne out by the position of the fleets as there stated.”
