British seaman. Officers and men were of one mind. They all united in
putting first the women and children, then the sick and the
foreigners, into the launch. The two yawls and the jolly-boat took as
many as they could carry from the stern, and put them on board some
Spanish boats from La Escada, which had been sent to their assistance,
but which neither threats nor entreaties could avail to bring near to
the ship.

The remainder of the people were then ordered on to the raft, and by
the time it was covered, the flames came aft so thick, that it was
necessary to send it off from the stern. All now had left the
ill-fated vessel, except the gallant Captain Le Gros, Lieutenant
Tailour, and the master. When they saw all the rest clear away, and
not till then, did they descend by the stern ladders into one of the
yauls and pulled towards the shore, which they had scarcely reached
when she blew up.

The value of this ship was estimated at 100,000_l._, and the loss to
Lord Nelson must have been incalculable. Yet it is said that he was
much more distressed by the loss of the despatches, which were taken
by the enemy, about the same time, in the Swift cutter.

In a letter to Lord St. Vincent, dated the 19th of April, Admiral
Nelson says, speaking of Captain Le Gros.--"If his account be correct
(he was then upon his trial), he had great merit for the order in
which the ship was kept. The fire must have originated from medicine
chests breaking, or from wet getting down, which caused the things to
heat. The preservation of the crew seems little short of a miracle. I
never read such a journal of exertions in my whole life."[6]