Navy Minister Decrès, written at Reading in England, 2 January 1806. Sources : Archives nationales, fond Marine, BB4-237.</ref>}} The French crew were about to board Victory when managed to come to the rescue of the stricken flagship, firing on the exposed French crew at point blank range, killing or wounding 200 men, including Lucas and Dupotet, struck by a bullet to the knee, who nevertheless remained at their stations. The crew of Redoutable rushed to man her artillery and engage Temeraire with her starboard battery, Soon, took a position at stern of Redoutable, which thus found herself fired upon from three larger ships. In the ensuing cannonade, Redoutable lost most of her artillery, including two guns that burst, killing several gunners. Temeraire hailed for Redoutable to surrender, but Lucas had volley of musketry fired for replies. At 1.55 pm, Redoutable, with Lucas severely wounded, and only 99 men still fit out of 643 (300 dead and 222 severely wounded), was essentially defenceless. The Fougueux attempted to come to her aid but came afoul of Temeraire. After ascertaining that Redoutable was too damaged to survive the aftermath of the battle, and worried that she would sink before his wounded could be evacuated, Lucas struck his colours at 2:30. Redoutables aft featured a large opening and was in danger of collapsing, her rudder was shot off, and the hull was pierced in many spots. Being much damaged and weakened by the fight themselves, the British ships took some time to take possession of Redoutable, and Lucas had to request urgent assistance to pump water, as four of Redoutables pumps were destroyed and few of her crewmen could man them.Guérin (vol.6, p.431-432) claims that Lucas threatened to set fire to Redoutable if the British did not come to his aid on the spot, which would have destroyed Victory, Temeraire and probably also Fougueux, all entangled together.Redoutable was freed from the rigging of Temeraire around 7 in the evening and was taken in tow by . The next day, Redoutable made distress signals, and Swiftsure launched boats to evacuate her passengers; she foundered around 7, taking 196 men with her.Guérin, vol.6, p.438 Lucas reported:Victory had sustained 160 casualties, and Temeraire 120. Of Redoutables crew, 169 were taken on board Swiftsure''; the wounded were sent to Cadiz on a cartel, and 35 men were taken prisoner to England. Lucas was received in England with great