the receipt of Lord Gambier's letter, it was considered on board the Impérieuse that her signal of recall was made by the Caledonia. The Impérieuse answered the supposed signal (for it is doubtful if it was made), and telegraphed that the enemy could be destroyed. It was shortly after this that the Beagle, Ætna, and smaller vessels, reanchored near the Impérieuse and Pallas.

On the 14th, at 2 h. 30 m. a.m., by throwing overboard the chief part of her guns and other heavy materials, the Tourville got afloat and entered the Charente ; but, presently afterwards, through the alleged carelessness of her pilot, the ship ran on shore on the opposite side of the river, off the town of Fouras, and close to the wreck of one of the largest of the fire-ships, probably the Mediator. The Océan was equally unsuccessful in her efforts to get into the channel, and grounded on the same side of the river as the Tourville ; but the Patriote, Hortense, Elbe, and Pallas were more fortunate, and ascended the Charente beyond the reach of danger.

At 9 a.m. the Impérieuse it is admitted, was recalled by signal from the Caledonia ; which signal also directed Lord Cochrane to communicate with Captain Wolfe of the Aigle, who had been ordered to supersede his lordship in the command of the Aix flotilla. At noon the Aigle joined the Impérieuse and at 4 h. 30 m. p.m., in compliance with the admiral's orders, the latter weighed and stood towards Basque roads. On the 15th the Impérieuse sailed for England, having on board Captain Sir Harry Neale with Lord Gambier's despatches. About an hour previous to the departure of the Impérieuse from the anchorage in the Maumusson passage [Trousses roads], the Ætna and five of the brigs had proceeded to attack the Régulus, Indienne, and the other ships in their vicinity. The bombardment and cannonade continued until 7 P.M., and only ceased then because the Ætna had consumed all her 10-inch shells. Very little effect appears to have been produced on either side by this engagement. During its progress, the Jemmappes had cleared herself and run up the river.

In consequence of the strong north-west winds which had been blowing, the French expected that the tide of the 15th would be of an extraordinary height. To prepare for this, the Océan threw overboard the whole of her third deck guns, half of those on her first deck, and four 24-pounders from her middle deck. As soon as the ship began to feel the flood-tide, a great strain was hove upon the cables which had been laid out the day before, and the driver and all the after sails were set, to bring the ship's head to the wind, which still blew strong from the north-west. At 2 A.M. the Océan felt the canvass, and got out of her bed, The head-sails were then set, the cables cut, and the French three-decker moved ahead through the mud. After forcing her through it for 500 yards, the Océan got into the fair

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