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We cast anchor the first, and all the other vessels came and placed themselves near us. The Loire being a dull sailer, was the last which came to an anchor. The weather was fine: the wind N.W. and consequently too near to allow us to double Chassiron, with a contrary current.

At seven in the evening, at the beginning of the ebb, we weighed anchor, and hoisted our sails; all the other vessels did the same: the signal to get under way had been given them a few minutes before. At night we found ourselves between the lights of Chassiron and La Baleine.

The wind was northerly, blowing a fresh breeze; we carried all our sails; but had hardly cleared the port when the wind scanted a little, and we tacked to double the Tower of Chassiron, which is placed at the extremity of the Isle of Oleron.

The Medusa was armed en flute, having only 14 guns on board; it was equipped at Rochefort with the Loire. Equipped at Brent. Came from L'Orient. The town of Chassiron is on the point of Oleron, opposite a bank of rocks called Les Antiochats. The light house of La Baleine is placed at the other end of the Pertuis d'Antioche, on the coast of the Isle of Rhé.