gain hoisted in the Diomede.

We subsequently learned that the flotilla at Granville was so much
damaged as to delay its arrival at Boulogne, which was its ultimate
destination, until a late period of the year; and that many of the
vessels were lost in and near the Race of Alderney, on their passage,
by a storm in which they were overtaken.

The following is extracted from a letter which Sir James wrote to his
brother, describing this action:

Cerberus, off Granville, 15th Sept. 1803.

You will be glad to find that, thanks to Providence, the
business of Granville has gone off as well as possible,
although we have not succeeded in entirely destroying the
enemy's gun-vessels. I have to regret that, in the execution of
my orders, many of the harmless inhabitants of the town, and
their dwellings, must have suffered very considerably; having
bombarded it nearly four hours on Wednesday, and six hours this
morning, with scarcely any intermission.[3] This ship (the
Cerberus) was for three hours on shore, and the tide left her
six feet less than she drew. She was at the same time assailed
by some of the enemy's gun-boats, but without great mischief. A
shot was very nearly taking off both Mr. Champion and myself:
how our legs escaped is inconceivable, having come through the
part of the quarter-deck close to which we were standing.

Our friends Dumaresq and Pipon were in company, the former
having joined early this morning. I am quite exhausted with
fatigue, having had no rest since I left the island. Lady S.
was unapprised of what was going forward, as well as yourself;
but you must approve of the motives which urged me to conceal
it from you. I am on my return to the island, which I hope to
reach to-morrow evening.

[3] Before commencing the bombardment, Sir James sent in a flag
of truce, to inform the governor of it, and requesting that he
would send the women, children, and inoffensive inhabitants
away from the scene of action.

The blockade of the French coast between Havre-de-Grace and Ushant,
which was intrusted to Sir James, was kept up with rigour; and the
Channel islands put into such a state of defence, as to defy all the
projects of the enemy. In the performance of this service, the Admiral
had to regret the loss of the Shannon, which was wrecked on the 10th
December in a gale, und