The enemy now opened from all their batteries, the Queen Charlotte and Leander being the only ships which had yet reached their stations.  Preparations had been previously made in all, to avoid the necessity of exposing the men aloft when shortening sail.  Following the flag-ship, the Superb anchored about two hundred and fifty yards astern of her, and the Minden at about her own length from the Superb.  The Albion came to astern of the Minded, which passed her stream cable out of the larboard gun-room port to the Albion’s bow, and brought the two ships together.  The Impregnable was anchored astern of the Albion.

The large frigates, and the Dutch squadron, particularly the Melampus, their flag-ship, went into action under a very heavy fire, and with a gallantry that never was surpassed.  The Leander had placed herself on the Queen Charlotte’s larboard bow, at the entrance of the harbour; her starboard broadside bearing upon the Algerine gun-boats with the after guns, and upon the Fishmarket battery with the others.  The Severn lay ahead of the Leander, with all her starboard broadside bearing upon the Fishmarket battery.  Beyond her the Glasgow fired upon the town batteries with her larboard guns.  The Dutch squadron took the assigned position, before the works to the southward of the town.  It was their Admiral’s intention to place the Melampus in the centre; but his second ahead, the Diana, having anchored too far to the southward to allow this, he pushed the Melampus past her, and anchored close astern of the Glasgow.

The two smaller frigates, the Hebrus and Granicus, were left to take part in the battle wherever they might find an opening.  Eager to gain a position, in the line, the Hebrus pressed forward to place herself next the flag-ship, till, becalmed by the cannonade, she was obliged to anchor on the Queen Charlotte’s larboard quarter.  Captain Wise, of the Granicus, waited until all the ships had taken their stations.  Then, setting topgallant-sails and courses, he steered for where Lord Exmouth’s flag was seen towering above the smoke; and with a seamanship equalled only by his intrepidity, anchored in the open space between the Queen Charlotte and Superb; thus, with a small-class frigate, taking a position, of which, said Lord Exmouth, a three-decker might be justly proud.

Eastward of the Lighthouse, at the distance of two thousand yards, were placed the bomb-vessels; whose shells were thrown with admirable precision by the Marine Artillery.  The smaller vessels, except the Mutine, which anchored, continued under sail, firing occasionally wherever they saw opportunity.  The flotilla of gun, rocket, and mortar boats, directed, by Captain Michell, were distributed at the openings between the line-of-battle ships, and at the entrance to the Mole.