"The marines to be all under the direction of Captain Oldfield, the senior marine officer: and he is directed to put himself under the direction of Captain Troubridge; as is Lieutenant Baynes of the Royal Artillery, with his detachment."
To these general regulations were added the following particular instructions—
"Theseus, July 21, 1797.
"The Culloden's officers and men, with only their arms, to be ready to go on board the Terpsichore, at one P.M. this day. To carry with them four ladders—each of which to have a lanyard four fathoms long—a sledge hammer, wedges, and a broad axe.
"The boats oars to be muffled with either a piece of canvas or kersey.
"Horatio Nelson.
"Memorandum—The Culloden and Zealous to each make a platform for one eighteen pounder, the Theseus to make a sley for dragging cannon.
"Each ship to make as many iron ramrods as possible; it being found that the wooden ones are very liable to break, when used in a hurry.
"The Seahorse to make a platform for one nine pounder."
The whole plan of proceedings being thus judiciously arranged, the attempt was commenced with every hope of success: but it turned out, that a very erroneous representation had been given of the forces of the enemy, which appear to have been far too numerous for so small a body of men successfully to encounter; and, indeed, there were other unexpected difficulties and disappointments.