80 THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS. 



flaming ships and storehouses illuminated all the 

 ruins, and increased the grandeur of the scene. In 

 about three hours, the storm subsided ; and as soon 

 as the ship was made snug, Lord Exmouth assem- 

 bled in his cabin all the wounded who could be 

 moved with safety, that they might unite with him 

 and his officers in offering thanksgiving to God for 

 their victory and preservation. 



The two Admirals came on board the Queen 

 Charlotte as soon as they could leave their ships, 

 and spoke their feelings of admiration and gratitude 

 to Lord Exmouth, with all the warmth of language 

 and expression. The Dutch Admiral, who, with 

 his squadron, had most nobly emulated the conduct 

 of his British allies, declared himself in terms of the 

 highest eulogy of the Queen Charlotte, which, he 

 said, by her commanding position and the effect of 

 her fire, had saved five hundred men to the fleet. 

 Perhaps there was no exaggeration in the praise ; 

 for the destruction occasioned by her first broadside, 

 as she lay flanking the Rlole, nnist have contributed 

 much to protect the ships which had liot yet reached 

 their stations ; and tne havoc she inflicted by a 

 cannonade of nine hours must have been great 

 indeed, since her fire could destroy tiie fortificaLions 

 on the Mole-head in a few minutes. 



In no fonner general action had the casualties 

 been so great in proportion to the force employed. 

 One hundred and twenty-eight were killed, and six 

 hundred and ninety wounded, in the British ships ; 

 and thirteen killed, and fifty-two wounded, in the 

 Dutch squadron. Yet, except the Impregnable, 

 which had fifty men killed, no ship suffered so much 

 as is usual in a severe engagement. Generally in 

 fleet actions, the brunt of the battle, and the chief 

 amount of loss, fall upon a few; but here, every 

 ship had her allotted duty, and was closely engaged 

 throughout. After the Impregnable, the frigates 

 suffered the most, particularly the Granicus, which 

 took a line-of-battle ship's station ; and the Leander, 



