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Opposed to so decided a superiority, it will not appear surprising that the Thames should have suffered to the extent now about to be detailed. Her three lower masts and bowsprit were shot through in several places ; all her stays were shot away, as was all the main rigging, except a few shrouds, and they were rendered useless. The maintopmast rigging was even worse than the main rigging, and the topmast was shot through in three places. The maintopsail yard was shot away in the slings by a double-headed shot, and the yard-arms came down in front of the main yard ; the slings, both iron and rope, and the geers of the main yard, were shot away, so that the yard hung by the trusses, about a third of the mast down ; and the mainsail was cut to pieces, particularly the leech-ropes. The foremast had received nearly the same damage as the mainmast, except that the slings of the fore yard were not all cut away, whereby the yard remained aloft: the foretopmast rigging, except a shroud or two, was all shot away; as were all the stays, back-stays, lifts, braces, ties, halliards, and other tackling. The bowsprit was shot through in several places; and all the bobstays and bowsprit shrouds were cut by shot and langridge : the jib-stay and halliards had been shot away at the first broadside. The mizenmast was so injured, and the rigging so cut, that the gaff was obliged to be lowered, as soon as the action ended, to prevent the mast from going over the side; and the fore-part of the top was entirely shot away. The hull of the Thames had received innumerable shots; the chief part of the gangways was shot away; the main deck in front of the mainmast was torn up from the waterway to the hatchways, and the bits were shot away and unshipped. Six shots had passed between wind and water on the starboard, and three on the larboard side. One gun on the quarterdeck, and two on the main deck, were dismounted ; and almost all the tackles, and breechings were cut away. The loss on board the Thames, as we have just seen, amounted to 11 men killed, and 23 (two of them mortally) wounded. The surprise is that, after being so terribly mauled by shot, her loss was not treble what it proved. The condition of the Uranie can be taken only from her appearance as she lay to, about two miles from her opponent, repairing her damages. Her masts, though all were standing, seemed to be greatly injured, as did her rigging and sails. Several men were seen over her sides, stopping shot-holes; and it was evident that she was pumping, with all her remaining strength. ^ back to top ^ |
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