six
o'clock
In each fleet there were thirteen battle-ships , but the French ships were the larger and more heavily armed . They carried forty-six more guns , and the weight of their broadside was 14,029 pounds to 10,695 pounds , while they carried 2300 more men , and were 5000 tons heavier . They had , too , in addition , four frigates , besides the mortar vessels , gun-boats , and the battery on the island of Aboukir . Soon after six o'clock , the two leading vessels of the British fleet being within range , the French opened fire , as did the guns of the battery . Edgar uttered an exclamation of disgust as one of the largest of the English ships was seen to stop suddenly in her course . `` She has run on the shoal ! '' he exclaimed .