The Wilmingtonian, And Delaware Advertiser

By the papers noticed in our last, which had just been received at this office, from Buenos Ayres, we are informed of the first great reverse of fortune that has befallen the Argentine Navy, which eventuated in the loss of two armed brigs, one of which was commanded by Brown in person, and the other by the intrepid Capt. Drummond, who was killed by a 24 lb. shot. The particulars of the affair are as follows:

On Friday the 6th April the Republic, Independence, Congress, and Sarandi got under weigh and stood out of port. After 4 o'clock they discovered the Brazilian squadron of 18 sail, which gave chase. About this time the wind changed and Brown altered his course, and so continued until next morning, when the Republic and Independence grounded on the point of Santiago. All endeavours to get the vessels off proved abortive, and the Congress and Sarandi immediately anchored near them. The enemy now drew up and opened a fire which was returned, for several hours, when they ceased and retired, apparently with some of their vessels crippled. In the mean time, the Congress had been despatched to Buenos Ayres, but the wind being light and the enemy opposing her, she was obliged to run into Ensenada. During the night of the 7th every effort was made to get the grounded vessels off, but without success; and on the 8th at 5 o'clock in the morning, the enemy again bore down upon them and commenced an attack by placing themselves in a raking position; but several of the smaller vessels were soon beaten off. The Independence and Sarandi, had, by this time, expended their powder, and were in a bad state; and finding it impossible to save the Republic, her officers and crew were embarked on board the Sarandi, and she was set fire to. The enemy took possession of the Independence, which was by this time a complete wreck, and night put an end to the contest. During the action the most daring courage and intrepidity was manifested by the crews of the Spanish vessels. The Independence fired 340 shot in two days. A heavy frigate anchored a breast of her, and commenced a deliberate fire upon her with 24 and 32 lb. chain and double headed shot, two hundred of which struck her, and killed and wounded from 60 to 70 of her crew. The loss on the part of Brown, who was himself wounded, was 25 killed, and 51 wounded. The Brazilian loss is said to be at least 100.