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miles distant, and the fleet in nine fathoms' water. Thus circumstanced, the British hastened to secure their prizes, in order that, before nightfall, they might get clear of the shore, which was that between Camperdown and the village of Egmont. The appearance of the British ships at the close of the action was very unlike what it generally is, when the French or Spaniards have been the opponent of the former. Not a single lower mast, not even a topmast was shot away; nor were the rigging and sails of the ships in their usual tattered state. It was at the hulls of their adversaries that the Dutchmen had directed their shot ; and this, not until the former were so near, that no aim could well miss. Scarcely a ship in the fleet but had several shot sticking in her sides. Many were pierced by shot in all directions; and a few of the ships had received some dangerous ones between wind and water, which kept their pumps in constant employment. The Ardent had received no fewer than 98 round shot in her hull. The Belliqueux, Bedford, Venerable, and Monarch had likewise their share. As to the last-named ship, such was the entire state of her masts, rigging, and sails, that, were the topsail sheets which had been shot away hauled home, no one, viewing her from a little distance, would have believed that she had been in action. With hulls so shattered, the loss of men could not be other wise than severe. The Venerable had 13 seamen and two marines killed ; two lieutenants (Edward Sneyd Clay and William Henry Douglas), one lieutenant of marines, (George Chambers, both feet shot off *), one midshipman (Mr. Stewart), two petty-officers 52 seamen, and four marines wounded ; the Monarch, two midshipmen (J. P. Tinlay and Moyle Finlay) and 34 seamen killed, one lieutenant (James Retalick), one lieutenant of marines (James J. Smith), four midshipmen (George Massey, Benjamin Clement, Daniel Sherwin, and Charles Slade), one master's mate (John Chimley), two petty-officers, 79 seamen, and 12 marines wounded ; the Bedford, two midshipmen, 26 seamen, and two marines killed, one lieutenant (George Keenor), 37 seamen, and three marines wounded; the Powerful, eight seamen and two marines killed, one lieutenant (Ulick Jennings), one lieutenant of marines (R. G. W. Walker), one midshipman (Daniel Rogers), the boatswain, and 74 seamen and marines wounded ; the Isis, one seaman and one marine killed, one lieutenant of marines (Charles Rea), two midshipmen, and 18 seamen wounded; the Ardent, her captain, master, (Michael Dun), 33 seamen, and six marines killed, two lieutenants (James Rose and John Sobriel), one captain of marines (Richard Cuthbert), two master's mates (John Tracey and John Airey), two midshipmen (Thomas Leonard and John M'Killier), one captain's clerk, 85 seamen, 11 marines, and three boys wounded; the Belliqueux, one lieutenant (Robert Webster), one master's mate (James Milne), 20 seamen, * The committee at Lloyd's, besides making this officer a present of a handsome gratuity in money, settled upon him £40 per annum. ^ back to top ^ |