was drowned in the thunder of _Queen Charlotte's_ broadside. The enemy now opened from all their batteries, the _Queen Charlotte_ and _Leander_ being the only ships which had yet reached their stations. Preparations had been previously made in all, to avoid the 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 _Minded_, 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, particularly 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 the harbour; her starboard broadside bearing upon the Algerine gun-boats with the after guns, and upon the Fishmarket battery with the others. The _Severn_ lay ahead of the _Leander_, with all her starboard broadside bearing upon the Fishmarket battery. Beyond 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 ahead, 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 _Granicus_, were left to take part in the battle wherever they might 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. Captain Wise, 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 between the _Queen Charlotte_ and _Superb_; thus, with a small-class frigate, taking a position, of which, said Lord Exmouth, a three-decker might be justly proud. Eastward of the Lighthouse, at the distance of two thousand yards, were placed the bomb-vessels; whose shells were thrown with admirable precision by the Marine Artillery. The smaller vessels, except the _Mutine_, which anchored, continued under sail, firing occasionally wherever they saw opportunity. The flotilla of gun, rocket, and mortar boats, directed, by Captain Michell, were distributed at the openings between the line-of-battle ships, and at the entrance to the Mole.