Their entire armament amounted to only two hundred guns, some of which were merely field-pieces.

The water fronts were armed with one hundred cannon and sixteen mortars, those of the smaller calibre included.

(Fig.

38.) When approached by the British fleet, the works were undergoing repairs, and, says Commodore Napier, "were fast getting into a state of preparation against attack." The British fleet consisted of eight ships of the line, carrying six hundred and forty-six guns; six frigates, carrying two hundred and thirty-six guns; four steamers, carrying eighteen guns; and two or three other vessels, whose force is not given.

"Only a few guns," says Napier, "defended the approach from the northward," and most of the ships came in from that direction.