“I beg leave to make the report to your lordship of the four howitzer-boats that I had the honour to command in the attack of the enemy last night.  Having led in, to support Captain Parker’s division, keeping between his lines until the enemy opened their fire on him:  we keeping on towards the pier, until I was aground in the headmost boat; then opened our fire, and threw about eight shells into it.  But, from the strength of the tide coming out of the harbour, was not able to keep off the pier-head; but continued our fire on the camp until the enemy’s fire had totally slackened, and Captain Parker’s division had passed without me.  I beg leave to mention to your lordship, that I was ably supported by the other boats.  Captain Broome, and Lieutenant Beem, of the Royal Artillery, did every thing in their power to annoy the enemy.  The other officers of artillery were detached in the other four howitzer-boats.

     “I have the honour to be, &c. 
     John Conn.”

* * * * *

Return of Killed and Wounded in the Boats of his Majesty’s Ships and Vessels, on the attack of the French Flotilla, moored before Boulogne, 16th of August 1801.

    KILLED 4 Officers. 33 Seamen. 7 Marines.

WOUNDED     14             84            30
——­           ——­          ——­
TOTAL       18             117           37
——­           ——­          ——­

    Total, Killed and Wounded, 172.

The circumstances unfolded in the above letters very sufficiently account for the failure of success, while they demonstrate how well it had been merited.  Lord Nelson was, doubtless, in some degree disappointed, for he had hoped to destroy or bring off all their boasted flotilla.  He consoled himself, however, with reflecting that, if little advantage had been gained, there was, on his part, no loss of honour; while the enemy owed their security to the disgraceful resource of being constrained to chain their vaunted vessels for invading our country to the shores of their own.

His lordship was scarcely returned to the Downs, from this expedition, when he had the honour of receiving, from the First Lord of the Admiralty, his old friend the Earl of St. Vincent, a most kind and affectionate letter, dated the 17th of August 1801, from which the following is an extract—­

“It is not given us, to command success; your lordship, and the gallant men under your orders, certainly deserve it:  and I cannot sufficiently express my admiration of the zeal and persevering courage with which this gallant enterprize was followed up; lamenting, most sincerely, the loss sustained in it.  The manner in which the enemy’s flotilla was fastened to the ground, could not have been foreseen.  The highest praise is due to your lordship; and all, under your command, who were actors in this gallant attempt.”

Lord Nelson immediately issued the following general orders to all who had fought under his command on this occasion.