| Naval history of Great Britain - Vol. IV
by
William James |
| 1805 |
Battle of Trafalgar |
46 |
seamen, and 13 marines killed, two lieutenants (John Clavell and James Bashford), one lieutenant of marines (James le Vesconte), one master's mate (William Watson), four midshipmen (Gilbert Kennicott, Grenville Thompson, John Farrant, and John Campbell), her boatswain (Isaac Wilkinson), 69 seamen, and 16 marines wounded.
Respecting the Santa-Ana's loss in killed and wounded, nothing is known beyond the amount already specified as the alleged effect of her opponent's raking fire. That the Spanish ship's loss must have been uncommonly severe may be inferred as well from the length and closeness of the action, as from the fact, that her starboard side was nearly beaten in by the Royal-Sovereign's shot. Among the Santa-Ana's dangerously, if not mortally wounded, was Vice-admiral Alava ; and it was understood that her killed and wounded comprised a great proportion of officers.
After having, for the space of 20 minutes, sustained the tremendous fire opened by the rear of the combined line, and after having suffered, in consequence, a loss of between 50 and 60 men in killed and wounded, the Belleisle, at about a quarter past noon, exchanged a few shot with the Monarca, and passed through the line abreast of the Fougueux, then distantly raking the Royal-Sovereign. In hauling up on the larboard tack, the Belleisle was enabled, owing to the advanced position of the latter, to pour a full broadside into the lee quarter of the Santa-Ana. Bearing away a little, the Belleisle then passed close astern of the Indomptable ; who, quickly wearing, exchanged a few broadsides with her, and then bore up to the south-east. In the mean time the Belleisle was engaged with a Spanish ship, the San-Juan-Nepomuceno, at some distance on her starboard beam. At about 45 minutes past noon the Belleisle's main topmast was shot away ; and, as the enemy's rear ships were now pressing forward to support the centre, her situation became extremely critical.
At 1 P.M. the Fougueux ranged up in the smoke on the Belleisle's starboard beam, and struck her at the gangway with her larboard bow, rolling at the same time with her fore yard over the British ship's quarterdeck. The Fougueux immediately began engaging the Belleisle, and in 10 minutes shot away her mizenmast about six feet above the deck, the wreck falling over the larboard quarter. In about 10 minutes more, on the Mars beginning to engage her, the Fougueux, who had received a smart fire from the Belleisle's aftmost guns, dropped astern and hauled to the northward. At 1 h. 30 m. P.M. the French Achille came ranging past the stern of the Belleisle, then with her head a little to the southward of east, and stationed herself on the latter's larboard quarter. In this position, the Achille kept up a steady fire, with comparative impunity, on account of the wreck of the Belleisle's mizenmast masking her aftermost guns. Meanwhile
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