THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS. 75 



necessity of exposing the men aloft when shortening 

 sail. Following the flag-ship, the Superb anchored 

 about two hundred and fifty yards astern of her, 

 and the Minden at about her own length from the 

 Superb. The Albion came-to astern of the Minden, 

 which passed her stream cable out of the larboard 

 gun-room port to the Albion's bow, and brought the 

 two ships together. The Impregnable was anchored 

 astern of the Albion. 



The large frigates, and the Dutch squadron, par- 

 ticularly the Melampus, their flag-ship, went into 

 action under a very heavy fire, and with a gallantry 

 that never was surpassed. The Leander had placed 

 herself on the Queen Charlotte's larboard bow, at 

 the entrance of thci harbour; her starboard broad- 

 side bearino^ upon the Algerine <j:;un-boats with the 

 after guns, and upon the Fish-market battery with 

 the others. The Severn lay a-head of the Leander, 

 with all her starboard broadside bearing upon the 

 Fish-market battery. Boyond her, the Glasgow fired 

 upon the town batteries with her larboard guns. The 

 Dutch squadron took the assigned position, before 

 the works to the southward of the town. It was 

 their Admiral's intention to place the Melampus in 

 the centre ; but his second a-head, the Diana, having 

 anchored too far to the southward to allow this, he 

 pushed the Melampus past her, and anchored close 

 astern of the Glasgow. 



The two smaller frigates, the Hebrus and Grani- 

 cus, were left to take part in the battle wherever they 

 mi<.^ht find an opening. Eager to gain a position in 

 the line, the Hebrus pressed forward to place herself 

 next the flag-ship, till, becalmed by the cannonade, 

 she was obliged to anchor on the Queen Charlotte's 

 larboard quarter. Ca]jtain V/ise, of the Granicus, 

 waited until all the ships had taken their stations. 

 Then, setting topgallant-sails and courses, he steered 

 for where Lord Exmouth's flag was seen towering 

 above the smoke ; and, with a seamanship equalled 

 only by his intrepidity, anchored in the open space 



