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Naval history of Great Britain
by
William James
1805
BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR
68 


In this spirited, and, for its undisturbed occurrence in a general action, rather singular combat, the Leviathan's damages and loss, although we are not enabled to exhibit them separately were, it is certain, of trifling amount. Including what she had previously sustained, the Leviathan had the main piece of her head shot through, all three masts and bowsprit, and most of her lower and topsail yards wounded, her mizentopsail yard shot away, and a great part of her rigging cut to pieces. She received eight shot between wind and water, and had one long 32 and one long 18 pounder, and one 18-pounder cannonade, completely disabled. Her loss amounted to two seamen 11 and two marines killed, one midshipman (J. W. Watson), 17 seamen, and four marines wounded. Besides the loss of her mizenmast, the San-Augustin had her remaining masts injured and her hull struck in several places, particularly near the starboard quarter : her loss was represented by her officers to have amounted to 160 in killed and wounded, including among the latter her captain, Don Felipe Xado Cagigal.

Being, except the Leviathan, the nearest British ship to the Intrépide the Africa was the first that brought the latter to action. This, at about 3 h. 20 m. P.M., the Africa most gallantly did, and, in spite of her decided inferiority of force, maintained the contest for nearly three quarters of an hour ; when the Orion came up, and opened a fire upon the Intrépide's starboard quarter. The Orion then wore round the French ship's stern, and, bringing to on the lee bow of the latter between her and the Africa, whose fire, without any disparagement to her, was nearly silenced, maintained so heavy and well-directed a

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