82 



and Captain Guise of the second, which was form-, 

 ed of those of the other ships. At half-past ten, 

 we rowed in two lines towards the enemy's an- 

 chorage, and at twelve forced the line of gun- 

 boats guarding the entrance. The whole of our 

 force boarded the Esmeralda at the same moment, 

 and drove the enemy from the deck, after an ob- 

 stinate resistance. 



All the officers employed on this service have 

 conducted themselves in the most gallant man- 

 ner. To them, and also to the seamen and ma- 

 rines, I feel under extreme obligations for their 

 activity and zeal in boarding the Esmeralda. 



" I was sorry that the necessity of leaving at 

 least one Captain in charge of the ships, prevent- 

 ed my acceding to the wishes of the Captain of 

 the Independencia, who accordingly remained 

 with the squadron. I have also to lament the 

 loss we have sustained. That of the Esmeralda 

 cannot be exactly ascertained on account of the 

 wounded and others who leaped over board ; but 

 we know that, out of 330 individuals originally 

 on board, only 204 have been found alive, in- 

 cluding officers and wounded men. The Esme- 



