nded by Admiral Laine. The
command of the English force was given to Captain Charles Hotham, of HM
steam-frigate _Gorgon_; and he had under him, _Firebrand_,
steam-frigate, Captain J Hope; _Philomel_, surveying brig, Commander BJ
Sulivan; _Comus_, eighteen guns, Acting Commander EA Inglefield;
_Dolphin_, brigantine, Lieutenant R Levinge; _Fanny_, tender, Lieutenant
AC Key.

On the 18th, the expedition arrived within three miles of the very
strong defences General Rosas had caused to be thrown up on the right
bank of the Parana, on Punta Obligada, to oppose their progress. This
spot was about thirty miles below the river San Nicholas, and a hundred
from the mouth of the river.

At daylight the following morning the two captains reconnoitred the
position of the enemy, and soon discovered that great military skill had
been evinced, both in the ground chosen and the plan of defence pursued.

The morning of the 20th broke dark and foggy, but about eight a.m. the
weather cleared, and a southerly breeze sprang up. At a quarter to
nine, the southern division weighed, and with a light wind stood towards
the batteries, followed shortly afterwards by the _San Martin_ and
_Comus_. The _Dolphin_ and _Pandour_ had previously anchored on the
north shore. Two of the _Dolphin's_ crew--R Rowe, gunner's mate, and W
Ross, caulker's mate--though severely wounded, refused to leave their
quarters till the day was won.

At about ten minutes before ten the batteries commenced the action by
opening a heavy fire on the _Philomel_ and the southern division, which
Commander Sulivan speedily returned with interest. On this occasion the
gallant Lieutenant Doyle, of the _Philomel_, had his arm shot away, and
for some time his life was despaired of; but, notwithstanding the agony
of his wound, he still showed his interest in the progress of the
action. On this the _Dolphin_ weighed, to support the ships in action;
but as some of her sails were shot away before she could reach her
appointed station, the current drove her astern, and compelled her to
anchor. Lieutenant Levinge, however, contrived to place her in a
position where her guns did good execution; she, however, was
unavoidably exposed all the time to a tremendous shower of shot, shell,
grape, and rockets, which came flying over her. During it several of
her people were wounded; and Mr G Andrews, clerk in charge, was
unhappily killed while assisting the surgeon in his duties to the