Basque Roads

Basque Roads, an anchorage to the southward of La Rochelle, and between the Isle of Oleron and the mainland. Here, between April 11th and April 14th, 1809, Captain Lord Cochrane (afterwards Lord Dundonald), of the Imperieuse, with other captains - all under the nominal orders of Admiral Lord Gambier - destroyed with great gallantry, and amid great difficulties, a number of French men-of-war commanded by Vice-Admiral Allemand. The enemy's loss would have been very much larger had Lord Gambier permitted the operations to be continued in accordance with Lord Cochrane's plans.