the shore, are to be made fast at each end of the cot-pole, that the cot may be drawn back also from the shore.

"The following were the different quantities of powder used, and the distances to which the shot, projected from a royal mortar, carried the rope against a strong wind, at the angle of twenty-two degrees and a half:

"That no means may be neglected to promote the application of an apparatus for communicating with vessels wrecked on a lee shore; these directions are drawn up that they may be delivered to the masters of vessels, together with their ships papers when they apply for them at the Custom House.

"It will be prudent, if possible, when it is found that the vessel must drive on shore, to strike the top-masts, that the lower masts (which are so much required in this process of assistance) may be relieved, and in less danger from top weight when the ship is rolling and striking violently, of being carried away. When the rope (attached to the shot which is fired over the vessel) lodges, it is to be secured by the crew, who will haul on board by it a larger rope and a tailed block through which a smaller rope is roved; the larger rope is best made fast at the mast head between the cap and the top of one of the lower masts, but if they should be carried away to the loftiest part of the wreck when they have done this, they will be supplied from the shore with a canvas cot, ham

mock, or netting) which runs on a larger rope, and is worked on shore by the smaller rope, in which the men may be laced in such a manner as to preclude all possibility of falling out, and then be brought one by one in perfect safety to the shore. The certainty of assistance by this means will enable the crews of the vessels to preserve their presence of mind, and prevent the confusion that arises from agony and desperation. Mr. John Prouting, master of the Elizabeth brig of Plymouth, who was rescued by this apparatus, says, that the moment the rope was unexpectedly thrown on board, he was struck with the conviction that he should now be saved with all his crew. He felt, to use his own strong expression, as if a new life had been given him, and he with his people instantly became collected, and were enabled to take every precaution for their security. They were all brought to shore in perfect safety, and communication was effected when all other means were impossible, to which Mr. Prouting has made attestation."

The sum voted for the supply of the navy, for the service of the year 1809, amounted to eighteen millions nine hundred and eighty-six thousands eight hundred and sixtyseven pounds; the number of seamen voted for this year was the same as had been voted for the year 1808, viz. one hundred and thirty thousand, including thirty-one thousand four hundred royal marines. The estimates also for the number of seamen were exactly the same in both years, though it was thought proper to make some alteration in the comparative amount of some of the branches. The allowance for wear and tear of ships was taken in the year 1808 at three pounds per man, whilst the provision was estimated at one pound nineteen shillings per man per month. The latter estimate was found to fall greatly short of the actual expenditure, while the estimate for the wear and tear was considerably above the actual expenditure: a guinea therefore was taken from

the allowance for wear, and added to the allowance for victuals.

On the 14th of March, Mr. Ward having moved for leave to bring in the marine mutiny bill, Sir Charles Pole said, he was glad of an opportunity to say a few words respecting that valuable corps; though they now amounted to thirty-two thousand men,-more than a fourth of the infantry of the line, yet their situation was hardly known to that house. He first asked whether it was intended to continue the stoppage of one day's pay for Chelsea Hospital? The royal marine artillery he asserted to be in a very neglected state. It had been thought necessary to establish this corps in the year 1804, and certainly had it been properly attended to, it might have been rendered very efficient and useful. In his opinion it ought to be augmented; and every squadron of His Majesty's ships on foreign stations should be furnished with a company of these artillery men and officers. He was sorry to learn that they were not properly and sufficiently instructed in the use of field artillery; and recommended that a number of young men should be admitted to Woolwich Academy. He next adverted to the slow progress of promotion in the marine corps: there were officers now serving as captains who had entered the service in the American war. An increase of field officers seemed necessary as an encouragement to that corps.

In reply, Mr. R. Ward stated it as his opinion, that the marine artillery could not be increased without converting them into a land army; that marines on board of ships were not commanded by field officers, and therefore they could not be necessary; and that as to the age of some of the captains, it was a service in which the officers rose by seniority. The bill was then read a first time; and the house having, on the 16th of March, resolved itself into a committee on it, Mr. Ward adverted to the proposal of Sir C. Pole, to increase the emolument of

pay to captains of marines, observing that men selected for such situations were generally unfit for active service. With respect to the deductions from the pay of marine officers, Mr. Ward shewed that they were in every respect on the same footing as those of the army; and Mr. Wellesley Pole said, it was the intention of the present board of Admiralty to afford to the marine corps every practicable and reasonable indulgence.

The year 1809 will long be distinguished in the annals of Great Britain, by the fatal expedition to Walcheren. As this was principally military, it does not fall within our design to examine into its details, but merely to give its grand outline. Towards the end of July upwards of forty thousand troops were collected, with thirty-nine sail of the line, besides thirty-six frigates, and a great number of gun boats, bombs, and small craft. The number of the whole persons employed could not be fewer than one hundred thousand. The object of the expedition was the occupation of Flushing, and the destruction of the French ships of war, arsenals, and dock-yards in the Scheldt. The naval part was under the command of Sir Richard Strachan; the military under the Earl of Chatham. The armament was assembled in the Downs, where it was detained for a considerable time in consequence of adverse winds, and from which it sailed in two divisions, on the 28th and 29th of July. Flushing was invested on the 13th of August, and on the 14th the line-of-battle ships cannonaded it for some hours; on the 15th it surrendered. But so much time had been lost that the French had collected a formidable force for the protection of Antwerp; so that all idea of pushing up the Scheldt being abandoned, Lord Chatham with the greater number of the troops under his command returned to England on the 14th of September. The Isle of Walcheren was retained; but on the 23d of December it was evacuated in consequence of its extreme unhealthiness. Such was the result

of an expedition of greater magnitude than Britain had ever sent forth-it did not even act as a diversion in favor of our allies.

We now come to the affairs and transactions of this year strictly naval: and the first transaction is of a nature which, for consummate bravery, cannot certainly be surpassed even in the naval annals of Britain; we allude to the destruction of a French fleet in the roads of Aix, by a squadron commanded by Lord Cochrane. Of such a transaction the details cannot be too minute or authentic; we shall therefore transcribe the gazette account of it as well as a private account.

LONDON GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY.

"Admiralty Office, "April 21.

"Sir Harry Neale, Bart. first captain to Admiral Lord Gambier, commander-in-chief of His Majesty's ships and vessels employed in the channel soundings, &c. arrived here this morning with a dispatch from his lordship to the Hon. William Wellesley Pole, of which the following is a copy:

"Sir,

"Caledonia, at anchor in Basque Roads, "April 14, 1809.

"The Almighty's favour to His Majesty and the nation has been strongly marked in the success he has been pleased to give to the operations of His Majesty's fleet under my command; and I have the satisfaction to acquaint you, for the information of the lords commissioners of the admiralty, that the four ships of the enemy named in the margin have been destroyed at their anchorage;

Ville de Varsovie, of eighty guns; Tonnerre, of seventy-four guns: Aquilon, of seventy-four guns; and Calcutta, of fifty-six guns.