Note 43 — CHAP. XXVI. A NAVAL STUDY—(continued).

67Lord Gambier had just before written to the Admiralty that an attempt with fireships would be “hazardous if not desperate.” He had no intention of attacking otherwise. And after the enemy’s ships had been driven ashore by the explosion vessels, Captain Broughton testifies to Lord Gambier’s expressions that he did not intend to make any attack, as the object of their destruction seemed to be already accomplished. That is, neither before nor after the action did he intend to make any attack with the fleet, nor would he have done so unless a partial attack had been forced on him by my signal on the afternoon of the 12th of April.