272

DESTROY A SIGNAL STATION.

shortly afterwards despatched to destroy another signalstation; but as troops were now perceived on the lookout, it was not worth while to risk the men, and the boats were recalled. We then got under sail, passing once more close to Montpelier and Cette, where we again joined the gunboat, and stood into the Bay of Perpignan-forming the west portion of Marseilles Bay -where we destroyed another signal-station called Cañet.

At 3 A.M., on the 24th, the morning being still dark, we manned three boats to destroy another signal-station called St. Maguire, about three miles distant, and at about half-past four, when within ten yards of the beach, were saluted by two heavy guns with grape, which passing over the boats luckily did no damage. Fearing an ambuscade, we pulled out of reach of musketry, but calculating that the French would not venture far in the dark-my favourite time for attacks of any kind instead of returning to the ship, we made straight for the signal-station, and blew it up amidst a dropping fire of musketry, which, as we could not be distinguished, failed in its direction, and consequently did no harm. Having completed our work, we next marched along the beach in line towards a battery, observed on the previous evening, skirmishing as we proceeded, our boats meanwhile covering us with their nine-pounders; the French also keeping up a constant fire with their guns, but in a wrong direction.

On storming the battery, with the usual British cheer, the enemy rushed out in an opposite direction, firing as they went, but without effect. We then took possession

STORMING A BATTERY.

273

of two brass 24-pounders, but whilst making preparations to get them off were alarmed by recall guns from the frigate, from the masthead of which, as day was now beginning to break, a force of cavalry had been seen making for us over the crest of a hill.

We had already had one narrow escape, for on taking possession of the battery it was found that the magazine was prepared for blowing us up, but fortunately, in the hurry of its late occupants to escape, the match had not caught fire. There was, however, now no time to be lost, so placing a barrel of powder under each gun and setting fire to the matches, both were blown up, as was also the battery itself by lighting the match attached to the magazine.

This somewhat staggered the cavalry in pursuit, but they soon recovered, and some smart skirmishing took place on our retreat to the boats, which all the time maintained a well directed fire on the enemy, keeping them in check, so that we got clear off with the loss of one seaman only-a gallant fellow named Hogan-who was blown up and terribly shattered, in consequence of a cartouch box buckled round his waist having exploded while setting fire to the trains. We otherwise arrived safe on board about 7 A.M., somewhat fatigued by the night's adventure.

We now got under sail, passing close to Perpignan, and were fired upon from Point Vendré, where a French brig of war lay at anchor under the fortification, and therefore was too well protected to be safely interfered with.

In this cruise against the French signal stations, the

274

THE TABLES TURNED.

precaution of obtaining their signal books before destroying the semaphores was adopted; and in order to make the enemy believe that the books also were destroyed, all the papers found were scattered about in a half burnt condition. The trick was successful, and the French authorities, considering that the signal books had been destroyed also, did not deem it necessary to alter their signals, which were forwarded by me to Lord Collingwood, who was thus informed by the French semaphores when re-established of all the movements of their own ships, as well as of the British ships from the promontory of Italy northward!

REJOIN THE FLEET AT TOULON.

275

CHAP. XVI.

CRUISE OF THE IMPÉRIEUSE CONTINUED.

THE FRENCH FLEET.— THE MOLE OF CIOTAT. THE GULF OF FOZ.-TAKE POSSESSION OF THE BATTERY. — SILENCE THE BATTERIES. - ANCHOR OFF CETTE. DESPATCH THE PRIZES. HOW WE OBTAINED FRESH WATER.-DEMOLISH A TELEGRAPH.-FRIGATE TO LEEWARD.-ORDERED TO GIBRALTAR. INGRATITUDE OF GOVERNMENT.— LETTER OF LORD COLLINGWOOD. LETTER OF LORD COCHRANE.

ON the 2nd of September the Impérieuse rejoined the fleet off Toulon, and received orders from Lord Collingwood to renew operations on the enemy's coasts. As the French, though by our previous operations, and by the spirit thereby inspired amongst the inhabitants, were disinclined to advance into Catalonia, they were nevertheless in considerable force in the neighbourhood of Figueras and Rosas, we therefore leisurely sailed in the direction of the latter port.

Keeping well in with the French coast, some gunboats were observed at 8 A.M. on the following morning close in with the town of Ciotat, between Toulon and Marseilles. One of these being somewhat detached, we hoisted out all boats in chase, but on the remaining gunboats and a battery on shore opening a heavy fire on them, they were recalled, and we cleared for action. At 10 A. M. six sail of French line of battle ships were

276

THE FRENCH FLEET.

observed to quit Toulon, but as they were far to leeward, there was nothing to apprehend from their interference; indeed after manoeuvring for a short time, they returned to port, no doubt satisfied that the firing which had taken place was of little importance.

At 11 A.M. we anchored under an island, within range of our main deck guns, but in such a position as to shelter us from the fire of the battery, which, finding that their guns could not be brought to bear, com menced a constant discharge of shells; but as no accurate aim could be taken, these inflicted no damage, though occasionally dropping near us. Taking no notice of these, we out boats, and sending them to a point out of sight of the battery, commenced throwing rockets into the town, which was twice set on fire; but as the houses were for the most part built of stone, the conflagration was confined to the spot where it had broken out. Our reason for molesting the town was that the inhabitants everywhere showed themselves in arms to oppose us.

Finding the place impervious to rockets, and the ship being too far out for a successful cannonade, we got under weigh, and took up a position within range of the fort, on which we continued firing till 8 P.M., almost every shot falling in the place. As it now came on to blow hard from the N.W. we were obliged to anchor.

During the night the enemy had got up a large gun close to the lighthouse, and by 10 o'clock on the following morning, a squadron consisting of four line of battle ships and three frigates left Toulon and com