e,
taking a position on our weather quarter; and when he takes his leave
each ship is to pass under our stern, and there and then salute. The
yards are to be manned and the ships to salute, beginning when the
_Vengeur_ fires her second gun. It is the intention of the French
squadron to weigh also and stand out. At three P.M. the King of Naples
came on board in Sir Graham Moore's barge, attended by the admiral and
all the captains of the squadron except myself (as I stayed on board
to receive him), and all the captains of the French squadron. He was
saluted and cheered by all the ships except the Neapolitan, one of
which manned her rigging, but no salute was given. As soon as the
King was on board, unmoored, as did _Revolutionnaire_ and _Duchesse de
Berri_. Employed beating out. At about ten P.M. the _Revolutionnaire_
was on our weather-bow when a thick heavy squall came on which blew
the main top-sail away. When the squall cleared away a little, I saw
the _Revolutionnaire_ close to us on our lee-bow, off the wind and
stemming for us, and so near it was impossible the ships could clear
each other. It therefore became necessary to adopt the measure which
would soften the first blow as much as possible, and I ordered the
helm to be put down. When the ship came head to wind she struck the
_Revolutionnaire_ just before the mainmast, slewed our cut-water right
across, carried away the jib-boom, spritsail yard, &c., and then
backed clear of her. A lad fell overboard from the _Revolutionnaire_
and made a great noise, which enabled us to send a boat and pick him
up, he having got upon one of our life-buoys. Got the runners up and
the messenger through the hawse-holes, and set them up with the top
tackles, which enabled us soon to make sail. Saw the _Duchesse de
Berri_ working out.

* * * * *

_Dec. 14._--Strong breeze to the westward, with sea getting up. Saw
_Revolutionnaire_ to leeward. On examination, found the cut-water so
much shook I determined to run on to Baia and secure the bowsprit;
made signal to prepare to anchor, and bore up little after 8 A.M.
Anchored in fifteen fathom water. The _Revolutionnaire_ was examined
also, when I found her mainmast was sprung; sent the master and
carpenter to survey the damage she had sustained, two or three of her
timbers being broke. They reported she might be put in a state to
proceed in two days. Sent Lieutenant Drewry up to the Admiral with a
letter