Don Miguel Tyrason, attempted in his barge, with a crew of 26 men, to carry the comparatively small boat in which the Rear-admiral, with 15 hands besides himself, was pushing into the thickest of the fire. A hand-to-hand scuffle ensued, in which both commanders took a conspicuous personal part. At length Don Miguel Tyrason, having had 18 of his men killed, and himself and all the remainder wounded, was compelled to surrender. After this, the Spaniards were driven and pursued to the walls of Cadiz ; leaving in the possession of the British two mortar-boats and the commandant's launch, with several prisoners.

The loss of the British, in this smart affair, amounted to one killed and 20 wounded ; including, among the latter, Captain Thomas Francis Fremantle, who had accompanied Rear-admiral Nelson in his barge, slightly, three lieutenants (William Selby, Ville-de-Paris, Henry Nathaniel Rowe, Diadem, and Gregory Grant, Prince-George), one master's mate (Hugh Pearson, Barfleur), one midshipman (Robert Tooley, Prince-George), and John Sykes, a seaman, severely, in the act of defending the person of the Rear-admiral, to whom he was cockswain. When the brave meets the brave, the conquered party is sure to find a eulogist. Hence, Sir Horatio Nelson, in his official despatch, begs to be permitted to express his admiration of Don Miguel Tyrason, and declares that the latter's resistance was such as to honour a brave officer.

The night of the 5th was chosen by, Rear-admiral Nelson for a second bombardment of Cadiz : On this occasion three bomb-vessels, the Thunder, Terror, and Strombolo, were most judiciously placed by the master of the Ville-de-Paris, Mr. Bartholomew Jackson ; the covering ships being the Theseus 74, Captain Ralph Willett Miller, and the frigates Terpsichore, and Emerald, the latter, upon the very judicious retirement of Captain Berkeley, now commanded by Captain John Waller. The bombardment produced considerable effect, both in the town and among the shipping : so much so, that early on the following morning, to avoid a repetition of it, ten sail of the line, including the flag-ships of Admirals Massaredo and Gravina, warped with much precipitation out of shell-range. The British and Spanish gun-boats encountered each other, as on the first night. The loss sustained by the British, did not, however, exceed three seamen killed, and one captain of marines (Thomas Oldfield, Theseus), two lieutenants (John Collins, Victory, and John Hornsey, Seahorse, who greatly distinguished himself), two midshipmen (John Collier, Theseus, and John Stephenson, Audacious), and 11 seamen and marines wounded. The loss on the part of the Spaniards was probably much greater, but could not be ascertained.

On the night of the 8th Rear-admiral Nelson meditated a third bombardment of the town, under his own immediate direction, but, fortunately for the Spaniards, the wind blew so strong.

^ back to top ^