54 



INTRODUCTION. 



ulaces. Mr. Morgell had the command of the fire-ship Victoria ; 

 and the squadron was so placed, as to prevent the escape of the 

 vessels from the roads : the moment the brigs were within gun-shot, 

 the ships and batteries opened upon them. As soon as the fire-ship 

 was within grape-shot, and close to the chain which defended the 

 ships, Mr. Morgell set fire to her, and in ten minutes she exploded : 

 had there been a breath of wind, the greater number, if not the 

 whole of the enemy's ships, must have been destroyed. But, unfor- 

 tunately it was calm, and it produced little effect ; the rockets too, 

 again failed although managed with still greater care than before, 

 and Lord Cochrane determined to adopt some other mode of 

 proceeding. * 



The Spanish frigate, Prueba, having been reported ofT the bay, the 

 squadron immediately chased her, but she escaped, and most of the 

 ships sailed towards Pisco, in order to obtain stores, particularly 

 spirits for the ship's companies, leaving the Araucano to look out 

 at Callao, At Pisco, the troops from the squadron were landed and 

 placed under Colonel Charles, of the marines, a brave and excellent 

 officer, who deserved a better fate than to be killed at the taking of 

 so paltry a fortress, f Major Miller was also severely wounded, and 

 the patriots lost 10 men. The end, however, was answered, and the 

 stores procured. 



On returning to Callao, Lord Cochrane was informed that the 

 Prueba had proceeded to Guayaquil, where, with other Spanish ships, 

 she had taken refuge. He immediately went in pursuit of her, with 

 the Lautaro, Galvarino, and Pueyrredon ; and, arriving on the 25th 

 of November, off the island of Puna, at the entrance to the river of 

 Guayaquil, undertook, notwithstanding the prejudices to the con- 

 trary ingeniously kept up by the Spanish charts, to pilot his squa- 

 dron up the rapid and dangerous stream. The night was the only 



* The persons particularly praised in Lord Cochrane's despatch are Captains Spry, 

 Crosbie, Prunier, and Morgel; and there is a handsome compliment to Admiral 

 Blanco. 



f He was buried at Valparaiso with military honours, on the return of the squadron. 



