Gannet, 16th Aug. 1801.
"MY LORD,
"On the night of the 15th inst. the third division of boats, which
I had the honour to command, assembled on board his majesty's ship
York, agreeable to your lordship's directions; and, at eleven, P.M.
by signal from the Medusa, proceeded, without loss of time, to
attack the enemy's flotilla off Boulogne, as directed by your
lordship. As I thought it most advisable to endeavour to reduce the
largest vessel first, I lost no time in making the attack; but, in
consequence of my leading the division, and the enemy opening a
heavy fire from several of the batteries, thought it advisable to
give the enemy as little time as possible, cut the tow-rope, and
did not wait for the other boats, so that it was some little time
before the heavy boats could get up. I received so many shots
through the boat's bottom, that I soon found her in a sinking
state; and, as it was not possible to stop so many shot-holes, was
obliged, with the men, to take to another boat; and have the
pleasure to acquaint your lordship that I received particular
support from the boats of his majesty's ship York, which soon came
up with the rest of the division I had the honour to command. But,
finding no prospect of success, and the number of men killed and
wounded in the different boats, with the constant fire from the
shore of grape and small-arms, thought it for the good of his
majesty's service to withdraw the boats between two and three in
the morning; as we could not board her, although every effort was
made.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Isaac Cotgrave."