Welsh Journals

ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS FOLEY. 109 of battle ships successively, the distance was about one hundred and sixty yards, so that, reckoning each of the thirteen ships to occupy on an average a space of seventy yards, the length of the line was rather under a mile and five eighths. But this line was not a straight one. From the centre ship Orient the van ship bore N.W., the rear ship S.E. by S., and the Guerrier and Timoleon from each other N.W. half N. and S.E. half S.- Hence the line was a curve, or rather a very obtuse angle, having its projecting centre towards the sea. The edge of the shoal at the back of the line, on the contrary,was a concave, so- that the Orient was nearly twice the distance from it that either the van or the rear ship was. To protect the flanks the French Admiral had erected a battery on Aboukir Island. When the Heureux, at 2 p.m. on the 1st of August,made the signal for a fleet of twelve sail of the line (Alexander and Swiftsure not then being seen), in W.N.W., the French ships- were still lying at single anchor, without springs on their cables, and with a great proportion of their crews on shore getting water. In an instant the men were recalled on board. At 3 p.m. the French Admiral made the signal to prepare for action. The course of the British fleet and the rapidity of its approach indicating an immediate attack, Admiral Brueys ordered his ships to cross top-gallant yards, as if intending to get under weigh; but shortly afterwards, observing some of the advanced British ships bring to, he appears to have thought that the attack would be deferred until the next morning; he therefore signalled that he should remain at anchor. The admiral's expressed opinion of the impracticability of the attack on that night was well known ; and it was equally well understood that he only waited for darkness to set in to weigh and put to sea,, with the intention, in compliance with orders from Buonaparte, of endeavouring to effect his escape. At 3 p.m. the signal was made to prepare for battle, and at 4 p.m. the British ships were ordered to prepare to anchor by the stern. Shortly afterwards another signal was made to signify that the admiral meant to attack the enemy's van and centre. As far as can be gathered from the vague accounts on the subject, Sir Horatio intended with his thirteen seventy- four's to pass the French line on its outer side down to the seventh ship, the Orient, so that every French ship of the seven might have a British ship on her bow and quarter. At 5.30 the French being nearly abreast of the extremity of the shoal, the signal was made to form in line of battle ahead and astern of the admiral, as most convenient from the then accidental position of the ships. The fleet then bore up, and at about 6 p.m. the admiral made the signal to fill and stand on. The ships did to, and were then ranged in the following order:—Goliath,.