arranged in a half-moon of two lines, the rear rank being judiciously
disposed so as to cover the intervals of the ships in the front line. A
dead calm succeeding, we were for two hours exposed to a heavy fire from
the batteries, in addition to that from the two frigates, the brigs
_Pezuela_ and _Maypeu_, and seven or eight gun-boats; nevertheless, the
northern angle of one of the principal forts was silenced by our fire.

A breeze springing up, we weighed anchor, standing to and fro in front
of the batteries, and returning their fire; when Captain Guise, who
commanded the _Lautaro_, being severely wounded, that ship sheered off,
and never again came within range. As from want of wind, or doubt of the
result, neither the _San Martin_ nor _Chacabuco_ had ever got within
fire, the flag-ship was thus left alone to continue the action; but as
this, from want of co-operation on the part of the other ships, was
useless, I was reluctantly compelled to relinquish the attack, and
withdrew to the island of San Lorenzo, about three miles distant from
the forts; the Spaniards, though nearly quadruple our numbers, exclusive
of their gun-boats, not venturing to follow us.

The annexed was the Spanish naval force present: _Frigates_.--Esmeralda,
44 guns; Venganza, 42 guns; Sebastiana, 28 guns.

_Brigs_.--Maypeu, 18 guns; Pezuela, 22 guns; Potrilla, 18 guns; and one,
name unknown, 18 guns.

_Schooner_, name unknown, one long 24, and 20 culverins.

_Armed Merchantmen_.--Resolution, 36 guns; Cleopatra, 28 guns; La Focha,
20 guns; Guarmey, 18 guns; Fernando, 26 guns; San Antonio, 18 guns.