"The ships denoted in the margin, piloted by the Spitfire, are to start at 1 P.M. and anchor in the following position, as shown in the chart No. 2,201, from Odessa to Knieper Bay:—
| A. | B. | C. | D. | E.F.G.H. |
| No. 2. | A. Valorous. B. Dauntless. | |||
| No. 1. | C. Gladiator. D. Furious. E. Spiteful. F. French mortar-boat. G. French mortar-boat. H. French mortar-boat. | |||
BOMBARDMENT OF KINBURN.
"The vessels anchored at C, D, and E, on the north side of the passage, are after sunset to show a red light to the west, and those at F, G, and H, are to show green lights in the same direction, as guides for the fleet on passing through during the night. The vessel at A, Valorous, to show lights vertical over the side, screened from NW. round by E. to S., and seen to the W. only. The four gun-boats Clinker, Cracker, Grinder, and Fancy, accompanied by four French gun-boats of shallow draft of water, will proceed, after the former vessels have anchored, to the rendezvous, at 8 P.M., near the Valorous, anchored at A. The four English gun-boats to be provided with buoys (white). The vessel at No. 2 A to provide two boats, that are to be despatched and anchored upon the SW. extremity of Oczakoff Bank, in four fathoms, to be a guide, by showing lights for the French gun-boats to commence buoying the edge of that bank with black buoys. The two boats on their return to the Valorous to place a white buoy on the end of Kinburn Spit, in five fathoms water.
"The Spitfire, assisted by the boats of the Dauntless, at B, will mark the edge of the bank—ere landing—west of Kinburn, with small white flags, placed in five fathoms.
"N.B. All white buoys are to lie on the south side of the channel, and black buoys mark the north edge of it, and are consequently to be left on the port hand in passing to eastward."
The evening of the 11th was unsettled—wind from SW. and S. On the 12th the weather was again unfavourable; on the 13th it blew briskly, sending in a heavy sea; but the wind abated towards night, and orders were given to prepare to weigh at dawn next morning. On the morning of Oct. 14, the fleet weighed and stood along shore towards the Liman of the Dnieper. The weather was beautiful, and we could admire at our leisure the numerous clean-looking, snug villages, the immense flocks and herds, and well-filled farmyards, which met the eye along the steppe. The fleet anchored three miles west of Kinburn Fort at three o'clock. On the 15th the troops landed about four miles below the fort, without the smallest opposition, or even the appearance of an enemy, in the order already indicated. The 17th Regiment was the first to land, and the French were, for a wonder, behind us. The weather continuing fine, the troops set to work, intrenching themselves on the sandy spit; only a few Cossacks were visible all that day, but in the afternoon, as a few French troopers were patrolling in front of our lines on the plain towards Cherson, they came upon a picket, which consisted of eight men, hid in some brushwood. They charged the Cossacks at once with great gallantry, killed two, and took two prisoners out of the party.
CHAPTER IV.
The Fleets open Fire—Effects of the Fire from Floating Batteries, Mortar-vessels, and Gun-boats—A Flag of Truce—The Governor of Kinburn surrenders—Terms of the Capitulation—Kinburn Fort described—A bad lot of Muscovite Infantry—Oczakoff destroyed—A Cruise up Cherson Bay—Expedition up the Bug—Scenery on the Banks—Fight with a Battery—Sharp Practice—Order for the Return—Divine Service celebrated at the confluence of the Bug and the Dnieper—Operations by the French—Great Men on Shore—The two Admirals go on a Cruise—Sir E. Lyons and Sir H. Stewart part company.
THE sea was too rough on the 16th of October to open fire, but every preparation was made for the day following. It was a dull, grey dawn, with the wind off shore, and the sea was quite calm. Early in the morning, the Russians in the Fort of Kinburn, perceiving that the French had crept up to a ruined village during the night, and that they were busily engaged in making their first parallel, under cover of the houses, at about 650 or 700 yards from the place, opened a brisk fire upon them from the guns en barbette in the eastern curtain. They were answered by two French field-pieces from the screen of a broken wall. The fleet at anchor was perfectly still, but the mortar-vessels, floating batteries, and gun-boats were getting up steam, and by nine o'clock they might be seen leaving the rest of the armada, and making towards the south side of the fort. The three French floating batteries took up a position close to the casemates, and the mortar-vessels and gun-boats were drawn up further away, and more to the eastward, so as to attack the angle of the fort, and fight the guns en barbette on the curtains. The floating batteries opened with a magnificent crash, at 9.30 A.M., one in particular distinguished itself by the regularity, precision, and weight of its fire throughout the day. At 10.10 A.M. the bomb ketches opened fire. The enemy replied with alacrity, but his batteries must have been put to a severe test. At 11.10 A.M. a fire broke out in the long barrack inside the fort, and speedily spread from end to end, driving the artillerymen from their guns. Small explosions of ammunition took place from time to time inside the works.