and to disable 14 of her guns. With her starboard broadside, similarly charged, the Royal-Sovereign raked the Fougueux but, owing to the distance and the smoke, with little if any effect. It was just as the Royal-Sovereign was passing between these two enemy's ships, that Vice-admiral Collingwood called out to his captain: "Rotheram, what would Nelson give to be here ! " And, by a singular coincidence, Lord Nelson, the moment he saw his friend in his enviable position, exclaimed: " See how that noble fellow Collingwood carries his ship into action."

Having, in the most gallant manner, passed under the stern of and saluted the Santa-Ana in the way already mentioned, the Royal-Sovereign put her helm a-starboard, and, without any difficulty, ranged close alongside of her ; so close that the guns were nearly muzzle to muzzle. Between the two three-deckers a tremendous cannonade ensued. But the Royal-Sovereign soon found that she had more than one opponent to contend with. The Fougueux, having bore up, raked her astern ; and, ahead of the English ship, at the distance of about 400 yards, lay the San-Leandro, who, wearing, raked her in that direction ; while, upon the Royal-Sovereign's starboard bow and quarter, within less than 300 yards, were the San-Justo and Indomptable ; as will better appear by the following diagram

So incessant was the fire kept up by all these ships, that the people of the Royal-Sovereign frequently saw the shots come in contact with each other. Aware, at length, of the injury which they were thus sustaining by their own cross fire, and observing that three or four British ships were fast approaching to the support of their gallant leader, the four two-deckers, one by one, drew off from the Royal-Sovereign, and left her to combat solely with the Santa-Ana ; who, although in force rather more than a match for her antagonist, began already to exhibit proofs that, in practical gunnery, she was decidedly her inferior.

^ back to top ^