l struck her colours before the main-mast fell; that
these colours were hoisted union down by the enemy, who had possession
of the ship before the boats came alongside from the Venerable and
Caesar, and that to save her was quite impossible.

The following further particulars relative to the action are given in
the extract of a letter from an officer of the Caesar, dated at
Gibraltar:

There is one point that needs explanation; namely, when the
Caesar cut her cable at half-past ten o'clock, it was from a fine
breeze springing up, and the hope of closing with the enemy.
Orders were given for that purpose to the Audacious and
Venerable; the Caesar wore round them, and brought her broadside
to bear on the Indomptable's bow, lying there (about three
cables distant from her) a considerable time, with the
fore-top-sail to the mast (aback). The Audacious, bringing up a
breeze from the north-west, passed between us and the enemy,
who, in this part of the day, suffered materially, his
fore-top-mast going about five minutes before twelve o'clock.
Shortly afterwards, the Audacious and Caesar were becalmed upon
the broadside of the Indomptable, without being able to bring
one of their guns to bear,--the Caesar not more than three
cables' length from the island battery, and the Audacious still
nearer,--both ships drifting on the reef.

It was at this time that Sir James Saumarez formed the
resolution of attacking the island with marines. Boats were
signalised for the purpose; but, being all employed with the
Pompee, or sunk by the enemy's fire, it was found
impracticable. A breeze again sprung up, and Sir James directed
his ship to be laid alongside of the Indomptable, in the firm
resolution of carrying her. The sails were trimmed for that
purpose as well as the crippled state of the masts would allow,
but a calm ensued. The Venerable had never received the breeze
from the time of her cutting, and still lay unmanageable. The
Spencer had drifted considerably in repairing her rigging.

The following is a translation of the Spanish official account of the
battle of Algeziras, 6th July 1801:

The division of three French line-of-battle ships and one
frigate, under the command of Rear-admiral Citizen Linois, that
sailed from the road of Toulon on the 25th last June, destined
for Cadiz, came in sight of this station and bay on the 1st of