'I acquainted you in my last of my return to Gibraltar to refit. As soon as the ships were near ready, I ordered the _Lyme_ and _Gibraltar_, the only frigates ready, the first to cruise off Malaga, the last from Estepona to Ceuta Point, to look out, and give me timely notice of the enemy's approach. 'On the 17th, at eight in the evening, the _Gibraltar_ made the signal of their appearance, fourteen sail, on the Barbary shore, to the eastward of Ceuta. I got under sail as fast as possible, and was out of the bay before ten, with fourteen sail of the line, the _Shannon_ frigate, and _Ætna_ fireship. At daylight I saw the _Gibraltar_, and soon after seven large ships lying to; but on our not answering their signals, they made sail from us. We had a fresh gale that brought us up with them fast till about noon, when it fell little wind. About half an hour past two, some of the headmost ships began to engage, but I could not get up to the _Ocean_ till near four. In about half an hour the _Namur's_ mizzen-mast and both topsail-yards were shot away. The enemy then made all the sail they could. I shifted my flag to the _Newark_, and soon after the _Centaur_, of 74 guns, struck.[97] 'I pursued all night, and in the morning of the 19th saw only four sail standing in for the land, two of the best sailers having altered their course in the night; we were not above three miles from them, and not above five leagues from the shore, with very little wind. About nine the _Ocean_ ran among the breakers, and the three others anchored. I sent the _Intrepid_ and the _America_ to destroy the _Ocean_. Captain Pratten having anchored, could not get in; but Captain Kirke performed that service alone. On his first firing at the _Ocean_ she struck, and Captain Kirke sent his officers on board. M. De la Clue, having one leg broke and the other wounded, had been landed about half an hour; but they found the captain, M. le Compte de Carnes, and several officers and men, on board. Captain Kirke, after taking them out, finding it impossible to bring the ship off, set her on fire. Captain Bently, of the _Warspight_, was ordered against the _Temeraire_, of 74 guns, and brought her off with little damage, the officers and men all on board. At the same time, Vice-Admiral Broderick, with his division, burnt the _Redoubtable_, her officers and men having quitted her, being bulged; they brought the _Modeste_, of 64 guns, off, very little damaged. 'I have the pleasure to acquaint their lordships, that most of his Majesty's ships under my command sailed better than those of the enemy. 'Enclosed I send you a list of the French squadron, found on board the _Modeste_.[98] 'Herewith you will also receive the number of the killed and wounded on board his Majesty's ships (56 killed and 196 wounded), referring their lordships for further particulars to Captain Buckle.'