the bursting of some shells that had been placed on the deck for immediate use. The accident alluded, to was a very serious one. On the 14th of May, at 9.h. 30 m. a.m., just as the Theseus, having on the preceding day been detached off Cæsarea for the purpose, had discovered, and was beginning to chase, the squadron of M. Perrée, twenty 36-pounder, and fifty 18-pounder shells, which had been got up and prepared for service, in an instant, no one could tell how, caught fire and exploded. The ship was presently in flames, in the main rigging and mizen top, in the cockpit, in the tiers, in several places about the main deck, and in various other parts. Captain Miller had just run aft from the forecastle, to ascertain the cause of the unusual bustle, when a splinter struck him in the breast, and he fell dead on the deck. The same, was the melancholy fate of the ship's schoolmaster (Thomas Segbourne), two midshipmen; (James Morrison Bigges Forbes and Charles James Webb), 23 seamen, one boy, and three private marines, who were killed, and six seamen and three private marines, who were drowned, by jumping overboard ; total 40 killed and drowned. The number wounded (the greater part of them shockingly burnt) amounted to 47, including two lieutenants (James Summers and -- Beatly), the master (Thomas Atkinson), surgeon (Robert Tainsh), chaplain (Frederick Morris), one midshipman (Charles Dobson), and. the carpenter (mortally); making a total of 87 killed and wounded by the explosion.

The whole of the poop and afterpart of the quarterdeck were entirely blown to pieces, and all the booms destroyed. Eight of the maindeck beams were also broken ; and, in their fall, they jammed the tiller. All the wardroom bulkheads and windows were blown to pieces, and the ship was left a perfect wreak ; nothing, indeed, but the greatest exertions on the part of Lieutenants Thomas England and James Summers, Mr. Atkinson, the master, and the surviving officers and crew, subdued the fire and saved the Theseus.

The accident is thus accounted for the carpenter of the ship and one of the midshipmen who perished, were endeavouring to, get the fusees out of the shells ; the one by an augur, the other by a mallet and spike-nail. It may readily be conceived, that the latter mode was that by which the shells became ignited, beyond this conjecture nothing is known respecting the origin of the lamentable accident. Nor were its sad effects on board the only misfortune. The chase of the French frigates was obliged to be discontinued ; and, as the Tigre could not move without risking the safety of Acre, and Sir Sidney had no effective frigates to detach, Commodore Perrée escaped. The same cause, the want of frigates, enabled the French to receive at Jaffa from Alexandria some very important supplies, especially ammunition ; of which the British ships had scarcely enough left to continue the cannonade.

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