He approached near enough to sink two of their floating batteries, and to destroy a few gun-boats which were without the pier.

What damage was done within could not be ascertained.

"Boulogne," he said, "was certainly not a very pleasant place that morning; but," he added, "it is not my wish to injure the poor inhabitants; and the town is spared as much as the nature of the service will admit." Enough was done to show the enemy that they could not, with impunity, come outside their own ports.

Nelson was satisfied by what he saw, that they meant to make an attempt from this place, but that it was impracticable; for the least wind at W.N.W.
and they were lost.

The ports of Flushing and Flanders were better points: there we could not tell by our eyes what means of transport were provided.