of a prize which they had brought to Madras; thus making the supernumeraries amount to 131, and the total of men ând boys on board as 371. Of these the Sibylle had Captain Davies (already described as one of the Earl of Mornington's aides-decamp), one seaman, one marine, and two soldiers killed, and Captain Cooke (mortally), 15 seamen, and one soldier wounded ; total, five killed, and 17 wounded.

When Lieutenant Nicholas Manlier, third of the Sibylle with his boat's crew, went on board the Forte, the scene of wreck and carnage that presented itself to their view was such, by all account, as no other persons than the actual spectators could form an adequate idea. A summary on our part must suffice. The bowsprit had gone close to the figure-head, the foremast one foot above the forecastle, the mainmast 18 feet above the quarterdeck, and the mizenmast 10 feet above the poop. As the masts had fallen with all the sails set, it was remarked that the three topsails were very slightly injured ; the Sibylle's shot had taken a lower and more fatal direction. All the boats, booms, the wheel, capstan, binnacle, and other articles on deck were cut to pieces. A most extraordinary circumstance, too, the forecastle bell was pierced by a grape shot and yet not cracked : it is still, we believe, to be seen at Fort-William, Calcutta.

The Forte's upperworks were lined with cork to prevent splinters ; and, for the same purpose, nettings were fixed fore and aft, as well on the main deck as on the quarterdeck, forecastle and gangways. Another stout netting was spread, like an awning, over the quarterdeck. This is common on board French ships ; and, being put up to prevent blocks and other heavy articles falling from aloft on the heads of the officers, is appropriately named "la sauve-tête." The starboard, quarterdeck and forecastle bulwarks were completely destroyed ; and the same side of the Forte, from the bends upwards, was nearly beat in. Upwards of 300 round-shot were counted in her hull ; several of her guns were dismounted ; and, as already mentioned, her very cables in the tiers were rendered unserviceable:

The loss on board the Forte may well have been severe. Let us first ascertain what number of men she had on board. It appears that her original crew, including a portion of Malays taken on board at Batavia, amounted to 513 men and boys. Of this number she had sent away in various prizes, according to the account given by her officers, 143 : leaving 370 as the number present in the action. Of these she lost, as appears, 65 killed, including her captain, first lieutenant, and some other officers, and 80 wounded, including also several of her officers of these 80 wounded, many died after suffering amputation.

The number of prisoners, including the wounded, amounted to 305 ; which, with the 65 represented as killed, makes the 370. This, we must observe, is more by 10 than the number sworn to by the French officers, to entitle the captors to head-money

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