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them as close as he could to a point, with her head to the shore; but they hauled so close round the point, following the direction of the coast, that he did not think it prudent to pursue that plan with a ship of such a draught of water. He therefore bore up and steered parallel to them at the distance of two cables length, giving them broadsides, which were Jeturned by a very brisk fire from the ships and batteries, highly destructive to the Northumberland's sails and rigging. It was Captain Hotham's object to prevent them from passing on the outside of a dry rock; but there was evident hazard in bringing his ship so near the rock as to leave them no room to pass this was, however, effected by the skill and care of the master; and the French ships attempting, as the only alternative, to sail between the rock and the shore, all grounded. During the falling tide, the Northumberland was employed in repairing damages she was then brought to anchor with her broadside bearing upon the enemy's ships, which had all fallen over on their sides next the shore, as the tide left them. A continued fire was kept on them for more than an hour; when their crews having quitted them, their bottoms pierced with shot, and one of them completely in flames, Captain Hotham got under sail, leaving the Growler to prevent by its fire the return of the men to their vessels. In the evening, the first frigate blew up with a dreadful explosion; and soon after, the second appeared to be on fire. She also blew up during the night; and a third explosion heard on the next day was doubtless that of the

brig; and thus the work of destruction was completed. Captain Hotham was informed that these vessels were L'Arianne and L'Andromache, of 44 guns and 450 men each, and the Mameluke brig of 18 guns and 150 men: that since January they had been cruizing in various parts of the Atlantic, and had destroyed 36 vessels of different nations, the most valuable parts of the cargoes, of which they had on board. The loss of men in the Northumberland was not considerable in proportion to the warmth of the action.

On July 7th, Capt. Stewart, of his Majesty's ship Dictator, with three armed brigs, being off Mardoe, on the coast of Norway, observed the mast heads of a Danish squadron over the rocks. Captain Robilliard, of the brig Podargus, having a man on board acquainted with the place, offered to lead in to attack them; but on the entrance he ran a-ground, and the Flamer brig being left to assist her, Capt Stewart was deprived of their assistance. The Calypso, Capt. Weir, however, led the way through a passage of 12 miles among the rocks, in some places so narrow that there was scarcely room for setting out their studdingsail booms, till at length they came within reach of the enemy, who had been retiring before them under a press of sail. These consisted of the Nayaden frigate of 38 guns, but mounting 50, three stout brigs, and 25 gun-boats, lying anchored close together in the small creek of Lyngoe. The Dictator ran her bow on the land with her broadside to the enemy, and being seconded by the Calypso, their fire was so powerful, that in

half

half an hour the frigate was battered to pieces, and flames were seen bursting from her hatchways, the brigs had struck, and most of the gun-boats were beaten, and some sunk. The Podargus and Flamer being a-ground were at this time engaged with numerous gun-boats, and batteries, but were at length safely got afloat. At three in the afternoon, the Dictator, Calypso, and Prize brigs, were returning through the passages, when they were assailed by a division of gun-boats so placed behind the rocks that no gun could be brought to bear on them. In this situation, the prize brigs ran aground, and it was necessary to abandon them in the state of complete wrecks, humanity forbidding setting them on fire, on account of the many wounded they had on board. In this bold enterprize the English squadron suffered a loss of 50 in killed and wounded: that of the Danes was at least 300.

Of minuter successes, one most worthy of notice was communicated by Capt Josias Rowley, of the America, in a letter dated off Languillia, May 10th, addressed to Vice-admiral Sir Edward Pellew, the commander-in-chief off Toulon. It states, that the America, in company of the Leviathan and Eclair, having, on the preceding day, fallen in with a convoy of 18 sail of the enemy deeply laden, which took shelter under the town and batteries of Languillia, on the coast of Genoa, it appeared to him and Captain Campbell practicable to destroy them by getting possession of the batteries. For this purpose, the marines of the America and Le

viathan were landed at day-break on the 10th, and whilst a party was detached to carry a battery to the eastward, which was effected, the main body rapidly advancing through a severe fire of grape, carried the battery adjoining the town of Languillia, consisting of four 24 and 18-pounders, though protected by a strong body of the enemy posted in a wood and in several contiguous buildings. The fire of the Eclair having in the meantime driven the enemy from the houses on the beach, the boats proceeded to bring out the vessels, which were secured by various contrivances; and 16 being towed off, the marines were re-imbarked without molestation, though a strong party was advancing from the town of Allassio to feinforce their friends. The loss in the spirited attack on the batteries was much less than might have been expected, but the America's yawl was unfortunately struck by a chance shot, and ten marines and a seaman were drowned,

Another attempt was made, on June 27th, to carry off a convoy from the towns of Languillia and Allassio, by the Leviathan, Capt. Campbell, who had also under his command the Curaçoa, Imperieuse, and Eclair. The marines landed on this occasion were attacked, as soon as formed on the beach, by treble their number; but rushing on with their bayonets, they drove the enemy from their batteries, killing many, spiked the guns, and destroyed the carriages, and reembarked with several prisoners. The vessels were, however, so firmly secured, that they could not be brought away, and they were

de

destroyed by the fire from the ships.

The naval success in the Danish sea was in some degree balanced by the loss of his Majes ty's brig Attack, on August 18th, which, being surrounded by 14 gun-vessels off Foreness in Jutland, was obliged, after a gallant resistance, to yield to a vast superiority of force. The brig had a smaller crew on board than that of each of her antagonists; and the commander, Lieut. Simmonds, was most honourably acquitted for the surrender, by a court-martial.

These were the most memorable occurrences respecting the British navy in the European seas during the year 1812; and if not highly important, they were such as sufficiently evinced that the zeal and activity of our countrymen engaged in this service had suffered no diminution for want of adequate antagonists. We shall reserve the painful task of recording the reverses in a different quarter, to that narrative of the new war in which this kingdom is unfortunately engaged, which must occupy some of our future pages.

CHAP.

CHAP. XVI.

War in the Peninsula-Valencia taken by the French-Their Failure at Tariffa-Lord Wellington's Investment of Ciudad Rodrigo-Capture of that Place by Storm-At empt on Tarragona-Further Success of the French in Valencia-Investment of Badajos by Lord Wellington-Its capture-Irruption of the French into Portugal-Successes of Spanish Parties-Expedition of General Hill to Almaraz-Defeat of Ballasteros at Bornos-Capture of Lequitio-Advance of Lord Wellington to Salam.nca- -Capture of its Forts-Marmont's Advance-Battle of Salamanca-Retreat and pursuit of the French.-Valladolid entered-Aƒfair of cavalry at Ribera-Allied Army enters Madrid, and Fort La China taken-Astorga capitulates-Blockade of Cadiz broken up-Bilboa evacuated-Seville recovered by the allies-Lord Wellington advances to Burgos. Failure of Attempts to take its Castle. French collect and advance-Retreat of the Allied Army, which returns to Frey. nada. Transactions of the Spanish Cortes and Regency-Public Signature of the Constitution-Settlement of the Succession-Lord Wellington appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Spanish Armies-Ballasteros displaced-Affairs of Portugal.

HE conclusion of the last year

toises of the fosse. Batteries were

Tefconcesion portant laity of erected at 60 toises distance, and the

Valencia invested on all sides by Marshal Suchet, without any other prospect of defence, than its own force, and the fugitives from Blake's defeated army, afforded. The lines with which Valencia are surrounded, are said to have been 6000 toises in extent, and to have cost the city 12 millions of reals, and the labours of some thousands of men for two years in forming them. They were, in fact, an intrenched camp, defended by nearly 20,000 troops of the line, 6000 militia, and 100 pieces of cannon. The French trenches were opened in the nights of the 1st and 2d Jan. within 70 to 80 taises of the Spanish works, and in four days the engineers pushed mines within 50

effects of these operations caused the Spaniards to abandon their lines, and take post in the suburbs. On the 5th a bombardment was begun, and a capitulation was offered to the town by Suchet, which was rejected by Blake. The bombardment was recommenced, and in three days and nights 2700 bombs were thrown into the city, causing many fires and explosions. The engineers by that time had made a lodgment in the suburbs, and had placed mines under two of the principal gates. The horrors of an assault were impending over this populous city; and in order to avert them, General Blake now consented to a capitulation. By its terms, Valencia was put into the

power

power of the French, with about 18,000 troops of the line (including the sick in hospitals) made prisoners of war, a great number of officers of rank, 374 pieces of artillery, and a great quantity of military stores. The militia was disarmed, and means were taken to réstore the tranquillity of the province. As a reward for this signal success, the title of Duke of Albufera was conferred upon Marshal Suchet.

While the French arms were thus victorious in this quarter, they failed in an inferior enterprize, probably much against expectation. It was mentioned at the conclusion of the Peninsular transactions of the last year, that the design against the town of Tariffa having been resumed, Gen. Victor had invested it with a considerable force, and that a breach was made in the wall. This circumstance is reported by the brave commander, Col. Skerret, on Dec. 30th, when an assault was expected. On the evening of the 31st, a strong column was seen rapidly advancing to the breach, and suitable preparations were made to receive the attack. The intrepid resistance of the defenders was crowned with success. In less than an hour, victory declared for them: the boldest of the assailants fell at the foot of the breach, and the mass of the column made a precipitate retreat. A very pleasing instance of humanity succeeded this exertion of valour. The ground between the town and the enemy's battery was strewed with their wounded, who must have perished had they remained there. Colonel Skerrett therefore hoisted a flag of truce in

token of permission to carry them off; and this humane act was very feelingly acknowledged by the French commander. From that time the enemy kept up a partial fire, by which the breach was widened, and another assault was expected; when on the morning of January 5th, the columns of the enemy were descried already at a distance, having left behind them their artillery, ammunition, and stores. A detachment of the garrison was sent out to take possession of them, which rescued from the flames the articles that had been set on fire. A number of dead was found on the place, indicating the great loss which the besiegers must have suffered during the whole period. "Thus we have seen (says Col. Skerrett, with allowable exultation) the utmost effort of the French has been frustrated by 1800 British and Spanish troops, with only the defence of a paltry wall; and an army of 10,000 men, conducted by a marshal of France, retreating from them silently in the night, after having been repulsed and defeated, leaving behind all their artillery and stores, collected at a great expense, and by immense exertions."

Lord Wellington, who in the autumn had placed his troops in cantonments across the Agueda to recover from their sickness and fatigues, was in motion at the very commencement of the year. In a dispatch dated from Gallegos, January 9, 1812, he informs the foreign secretary of state that he invested Ciudad Rodrigo on the preceding day. He mentions having taken by storm a new redoubt constructed by the French on the hilf

of

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