Sir Sidney Smith--Conveys important intelligence to the
Admiralty--Appointed to the _Indefatigable_, 44--His dispute with
the Navy board--Allowed to fit her according to his own
plans--Success of them--Accuracy of his judgment on a ship's
qualities--_Indefatigable_ strikes on a rock--Sir Edward nearly
lost in attempting to save two of his people--His success on
different occasions in saving lives--Wreck of the _Dutton_ at
Plymouth--He boards her, and saves all the people--His report of
the service--Honours and rewards; created a Baronet--Captain Cole,
and _L'Unité_ French frigate--Sir Edward's letters on the occasion
to Earls Chatham and Spencer--Notice of Captain Cole--His death,
and Sir Edward's feeling--Action of _Indefatigable_ and _La
Virginie_--Conduct and gallantry of her Captain, Bergeret. page 61


CHAPTER V.

EXPEDITION AGAINST IRELAND.

State of parties--Enemy's preparations for invasion--Reflections on
Ireland--Lord Exmouth's opinion on the Roman Catholic question--Sir
E. Pellew watches Brest with his frigates--His perseverance and
hardihood--Sailing of the expedition--He embarrasses its
movements--Arrives in England--Misfortunes of the British
fleet--Enemy arrive at Bantry Bay--Prevented from landing, and
driven off the coast by gales--Reflections on the failure of the
expedition--Sir Edward puts to sea with the _Indefatigable_ and
_Amazon_--Meets and engages the _Droits de l'Homme_, 74--Finds
himself on a lee-shore, hauls off, and saves the _Indefatigable_
with difficulty--_Amazon_ wrecked--Admirable conduct of her