It was strictly enjoined in the orders, that no gun was to be fired, without a signal to that effect made by the Admiral, unless it should be in return for shots fired at us by the Turkish fleet.  Each ship was to anchor with springs on her cables, if time allowed; and the orders concluded with the memorable words of Nelson,—­“No captain can do very wrong who places his ship alongside of any enemy.”

It was about two o’clock when we arrived at our station on the left of the bay, and anchored.  The men were immediately sent aloft to furl the sails, which operation lasted a few minutes.  Whilst so employed, the Dartmouth, distant about half a mile from our ship, had sent a boat, commanded by Lieut.  Fitzroy, to request the fireship to remove from her station; a fire of musketry ensued from the fireship into the boat, killing the officer and several men.  This brought on a return of small-arms from the Dartmouth and Syrene.  Capt.  Davis, of the Rose, having witnessed the firing of the Turkish vessel, went in one of his boats to assist that of the Dartmouth; and the crew of these two boats were in the act of climbing up the sides of the fireship, when she instantly exploded with a tremendous concussion, blowing the men into the water, and killing and disabling several in the boats close alongside.  Just about this time, and before the men had descended from the yards, an Egyptian double-banked frigate poured a broadside into our ship.  The captain gave instant orders to fire away; and the broadside was returned with terrible effect, every shot striking the hull of the Egyptian frigate.  The men were now hastily descending the shrouds, while the captain sung out, “Now, my lads! down to the main-deck, and fire away as fast as you can.”  The seamen cheered loudly as they fired the first broadside, and continued to do so at intervals during the action.  The battle had actually commenced to windward before the Asia and the Ottoman admiral had exchanged a single shot; and the action in that part of the bay was brought on in nearly a similar manner as in ours, by the Turks firing into the boat dispatched by Sir E. Codrington to explain the mediatorial views of the Allies.  The Greek pilot had been killed; and ere the Asia’s boat had reached the ship, the firing was unremitting between the Asia, Genoa, and Albion, and the Turkish ships.  About half-past two o’clock, the battle had become general throughout the whole lines, and the cannonade was one uninterrupted crash, louder than any thunder.  Previous to the Egyptian frigate firing into us, the men, not engaged in furling the sails, had stripped themselves to their duck-frocks, and were binding their black-silk neckcloths round their heads and waists, and some upon their left knees.