1801 - Sir James Saumarez at Algeziras


 
Contents

Next Page

Previous Page
 
Naval History of Great Britain - Vol III
1801 British and Franco-Spanish Fleets 118

are taken from the British logs ; as far, at least, as they afford any information on the subject.

As soon as the unequal contest, which the Hannibal was now alone sustaining with the French and Spaniards, had inflicted upon her a serious loss in killed and wounded, had disabled the greater part of the guns that would bear, and had shot away her fore and main masts, Captain Ferris ordered the firing to cease, and the officers and men to shelter themselves in the lower part of the ship. In a little while afterwards, or at about 2 p.m., the Hannibal's colours were hauled down, and were presently rehoisted union downwards ; whether by the British, because the battery and gun-boats still continued their fire, or by the French, who had come on board to take possession, in order to decoy the Calpé, then approaching from Gibraltar, we are not prepared to say. At all events Captain Dundas, deceived by the signal, sent his boats, with a laudable promptitude, to save the Hannibal's people. The boats were detained by the French; and, after firing several broadsides at the enemy's shipping and batteries, the Calpé returned to Gibraltar.

The loss and damage sustained generally by the British squadron was very serious. The Cæsar had her master (William

^ back to top ^