1809	British and French Fleets	124

vessel. This was not the kind of force which Captain Keats contemplated, when in April, 1807, he proposed attacking the French squadron at anchor in the same road. He required small vessels with long guns, and " that class which have been in the custom of throwing 8-inch shells from 68-pounder carronades."

Being deficient, as he undoubtedly was, in his force of small vessels, the admiral should have been more vigorous and decisive in his attack by the larger vessels. Next to the Caledonia and Gibraltar, the C�sar and Revenge drew the most water of any ship in Lord Gambier's fleet. What business, then, had the C�sar and Revenge in Isle d'Aix road, while the Bellona and Resolution were lying at anchor in Basque road ? Why was not the water from the transports, that were fitting as fire-ships, emptied into the sea, instead of being transferred to the line-of-battle ships ? Every additional half-foot the latter drew was of consequence, in the service in which they were about to be engaged. Even of the small vessels, the best use was not made. Why were the Doterel and Foxhound, with their 32-pounder carronades, not sent into the road of Aix before the 13th ? Then came ignorance of the navigation and of the shore-defences, and disputes about the authenticity of charts. It was at length discovered, but too late to be of any utility, that there was room for ships to act upon a fleet in Aix road out of range of the batteries on either side ; and it was even doubted, whether the fort of Aix might not have been silenced by two or three British 74s. � A remark made by the officer of the Oc�an may here be introduced. " The batteries of Isle d'Aix afforded us no protection at all, for the enemy forced a passage up the road with the greatest ease. Two of our line-of-battle ships (Foudroyant and Cassard) did not think they could maintain their position at the anchorage, and ran aground under Fouras. I did not think even the flotilla (alluding to some gun-boats fitting out) can hinder ships from forcing their way into the road ; a road with which the enemy, during the 15 days he was at anchor there, made himself so well acquainted, that he went in and out as if it was one of his own harbours."

Upon his return to England, Lord Cochrane, for the gallant part he had performed, was created a knight of the Bath. He shortly afterwards intimated to the first lord of the admiralty, that he should, in his seat in parliament, oppose the passing of any vote of thanks to Lord Gambier for his conduct at Basque Roads. Lord Mulgrave communicated this to the admiral ; and Lord Gambier, being well advised on the subject, requested that a court-martial might be held upon his conduct between the 17th of March and 29th of April. The court-martial was granted ; and on the 26th of July Admirals Sir Roger Curtis and William

* Minutes, &c., p 18. � Ibid. pp. 210. 214, 221, &c.

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