by John Marshall

“ At 1-30 P.M. l’Achille, another French 74, came ranging past the stern of the Belleisle, and stationed herself on her larboard quarter. In this position, the Achille kept up a steady fire, with comparative impunity, on account of the wreck of the Belleisle’s mizen-mast masking her aftermost guns. Meanwhile l’Aigle 74, having replaced the San Juan Nepomuceno, was distantly cannonading the British ship on the starboard side; and the San Juste and San Leandro, two-deckers, as they stood athwart the bows of the Belleisle, opened a passing fire. ”

“ Thus, by the timely arrival of her friends, saved from being crushed by the overwhelming force around her, the Belleisle ceased firing.”
Her loss consisted of no less than 126 killed and wounded: among the former were Lieutenants Ebenezer Geale and John Woodin. Her hull was knocked almost to pieces: both sides of it were about equally damaged. Ports, port-timbers, channels, chain-plates, all exhibited unequivocal marks of the terrible mauling she had received: her anchors and figure-head were shot away; every boat, except one, was destroyed. ”