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vinces of Greece; and though they might A.D. bud and bloom in obscurity, they would not fail in the end to produce abundant fruits. The overthrow of the Moreots had taught them the real extent of their weakness; but at the same time, their partial triumphs had shown them likewise the capabilities of their strength, when skilfully directed; and there can be little doubt, that in their subsequent preparations for a successful revolt, they derived many valuable hints from the incidents of this their first calamitous defeat.

Elphinstone, after the escape of the Turkish fleet from the Straits of Hydra, had repaired to Port Raphti, north-east of Colonna, and after careening and cruising about the shores of Attica, was joined, on the 23rd of June, by Alexis Orloff and Gregg's squadron of five sail, off the island of Falconera. They proceeded in company to Paros, where the admiral's flag was, by the order of Alexis, transferred to the ship of Spiritoff; and learning that the Ottoman squadron was drawn up to await them in the Straits of Scio, they got under way on Sunday, the 1st of July, to meet it. Contrary to the advices of Hassan, the Capitan Pacha had drawn up his fleet at the northern extremity of the harbour of Tchesmé, under the protection of a few batteries hastily thrown up for the

A.D. occasion.* His own vessel was moored about 1770.

a mile from shore, to the windward of all the rest, and his line was so unskilfully arranged, that not more than five of his largest ships could bring their broadsides to bear on the Russians at a time. Early on the morning of the 7th July, Elphinstone led the Russian squadron into the Straits, favoured by a light wind from the north-west. Immediately on his appearance, Giaffir ordered out his felucca and hastened on shore, under the pretence of issuing orders as to the management of the batteries, thus leaving the entire command of the action to the Vice-admiral Hassan. At an early hour, a council of war was held on board Orloff's vessel, when it was arranged that

* Mines de l'Orient, v. ii. p. 8. Narrative, &c. p. 53. Choiseul Gouffier, v. i. p. 94. The town of Tchesmé stands on the site of the ancient Cyssus, and it was in this same strait that the Romans (191 B.C.) destroyed the fleet of Antiochus.-Livy, lxxxvi. c. 43, 44, 45.

Their force consisted of the Capitana Ali Bey, of 100 guns, the Capitana Pacha of 96, the Catrona Ancharee of 84, the Real Mustapha, the Mulensi Achmet, and Zefir Bey, of the like force; the Achmet of 74, the Emir Mustapha of 70; and the Hamesi, Barbaroscena, Ali Candicta, Meelim, Kepulin, and the Rhodes, all of 60 guns, besides two large frigates, some zebecs, three galleys, many half galleys, and neutral vessels, in all amounting to upwards of one hundred

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the attack should be in a line with the star- A.D. board tacks on board; that Spiritoff and Feodor were to lead the van, the Lord High-Admiral, on board the ship of the English Commodore Gregg, was to follow in the centre, and Elphinstone, much against his inclination, was to bring up the rear.* At noon, Alexis

In the details of this action, I have preferred following the "Narrative" before alluded to, to that of M. Rulhiere, which varies from it in some particulars; whilst that of the Italian biographer of Hassan, in the Mines de l'Orient, corroborates in every essential item the statements of the English officer. The following list of the Russian force is extracted from his account of the expedition.

ADMIRAL ELPHINSTONE'S DIVISION.

This was a 66-gun ship, but, being left as unfit for service at Portsmouth, Admiral Elphinstone repaired her for an hospital ship, letting her carry only 32 guns.

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A.D. hung out the red flag as the signal to advance, and Spiritoff, in the St. Eustafie, attacked the vessel of the Capitan Pacha. In bearing down upon her, he was exposed to the guns of four others of the Turkish line, and lost about a hundred of his crew. Reserving his fire till within musket-shot of the Capitana Bey, he opened with a terrific broadside, which was

COUNT ORLOFF, when he joined the fleet near Paros.

Troch Hierarché, or the

The Vestal armed ship, with some others, joined the fleet

a few days after the destruction of the Turks.

+ Blown up in close engaging the Turkish Admiral.

3

1

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promptly returned by Hassan; and as the shot A.D. of the Turks were directed chiefly towards his rigging, his vessel became in a short time unmanageable; his starboard mainbrace, and his larboard main-topsail sheet, were successively cut away; and at length his rudder was completely shattered and torn off by a ponderous marble ball from the battery on shore. Neglecting, in his confusion, to drop his anchor, he drove with all sail set full on the broadside of the enemy. The two ships were instantly entangled, and the Turks, pouring through the port-holes and dropping from the rigging, boarded with the most determined bravery. Spiritoff, convinced of his danger, sought only to spread destruction as widely as possible amongst his assailants: he ordered vessels of inflammable matter, grenades, and blazing torches, to be flung on board the Turk; and twenty Maltese divers, plunging into the sea, attempted to scuttle and sink the enemy. The remainder of the hostile armaments, which had not as yet engaged, forbore to proceed, and hung in breathless suspense, to mark the event of the combat between their leaders. The confusion quickly became mutual on both vessels; the Russians, boarding in turn the Turkish admiral, tore down her flag, and, being repulsed by Hassan, strewed his decks and their own with carnage.