removed from the enjoyment than cut off from the acquisition of glory. How sincerely his loss was felt and lamented by those who had so long found their general security in his skill and conduct, and every consolation. under their hardships in his tenderness and humanity, it is neither necessary nor possible for me to describe; much less shall I attempt to paint the horror with which we were struck, and the universal dejection and dismay which followed so dreadful and unexpected a calamity.

From "The Voyages of Captain Cook'

RODNEY DEFEATS DE GRASSE

1782

THE French fleet at this time assembled in Fort Royal Bay, Martinique, consisted of thirty-three sail of the line, and two ships of fifty guns, and in this fleet were embarked a large body of troops, viz. 5,400 men, accompanied with a train of heavy cannon, and every other requisite for accomplishing the reduction of an island of such importance as Jamaica.

The design of the Comte de Grasse was to proceed with all the diligence in his power to Hispaniola, where he was to join the forces under the Spanish Admiral, and whose united strength would have been so superior as to have bid defiance to any exertions of the British Admiral, whose situation was now full of danger and intense anxiety. Not only did the preservation of Jamaica, and the other West Indian islands, depend upon the successful exertion of the fleet under his command, but the interest of the British Empire demanded that the enemy should be defeated, as nothing but the most complete and decisive victory could prevent the nation from falling into that degradation with which she was threatened. A most important crisis therefore was now approaching, and at no period of our history did there ever depend so much upon the issue of a naval combat.

I

On the morning of the 8th of April, a signal was made through a chain of frigates stationed between St. Lucie and Martinique, that the enemy's fleet had unmoored, and were proceeding to sea. Upon this the British fleet, at that moment in complete readiness, took up their anchors, and in little more than two hours were all under weigh, standing toward the enemy with all the sail they could crowd. It was the decided policy of the French commander not on any account to hazard a battle, the sole object of the expedition being that of joining a large sea and land force of the Spaniards then waiting at Cape François, in order to proceed against Jamaica with their joint armament, amounting to the overwhelming force of near 50 ships of the line, and 20,000 land troops.

This mighty and deep-laid scheme, so hostile to the best interests of the British nation, could not otherwise be disconcerted than by the discomfiture of the armament now rising in full view. In proportion to the momentousness of the object was the anxiety of our commanderin-chief to overtake and attack the enemies of his country; and there has seldom occurred in the history of rival nations an occasion in which higher interests or a deeper stake in point of honour were to be contended for, than what presented itself at this moment. We gained so much upon them, that next morning the van and centre of our fleet, including the flagship, had got within cannon-shot of our enemy's rear, and a sharp cannonade ensued, which, however, proved partial and indecisive, from the falling of the wind, and from a great part of our fleet being becalmed under the high lands of Dominique. In the course of the next two days the enemy, by dint of great efforts, kept far to windward,

and would probably have made their escape had they not been brought down on the 11th to save one of their ships which had dropped to leeward, in consequence of being crippled by running foul of another ship in the night. By this casualty we had the inexpressible pleasure at day-break, on the 12th, to discover that we were in a situation to weather a large part of the enemy's fleet, which was now reduced to thirty ships, two having been so much damaged by the action of the 9th that they could not resume their place in the line, and one having been rendered inefficient by the accident above mentioned.

The line of battle was formed in an incredibly short time, the officers of the fleet having acquired the utmost experience in naval evolutions in the course of the two last years' practice on this station.

About half an hour before the engagement commenced, at breakfast on board of the Formidable, the company, consisting of the Admiral, Sir Charles Douglas, captain of the fleet (an officer whose functions nearly correspond with those of the adjutant-general of an army); Captain Simmons, commander of the ship; Lord Cranstoun, a volunteer post captain, the admiral's secretary, and myself, the conversation naturally turned on the glorious prospects of the day; and Lord Cranstoun remarked that if our fleet maintained its present relative position, steering the same course close hauled on the opposite tack to the enemy, we must necessarily pass through their line in running along, and closing with it in action.

The Admiral visibly caught the idea, and no doubt decided in his own mind at that moment to attempt a manœuvre at that time hitherto unpractised in naval tactics. It was accordingly practised by him with the most complete success, setting the illustrious example in the ship which bore his own flag; for the signal for close

action being thrown out, and adhered to in letter and spirit for about half an hour, and after taking and returning the fire of one half of the French force, under one general blaze and peal of thunder along both lines, the Formidable broke through that of the enemy. In the act of doing so, we passed within pistol-shot of the Glorieux, of seventy-four guns, shorn of all her masts, bowsprit, and ensign staff, but with the white flag nailed to the stump of one of the masts, breathing defiance as it were in her last moments. The contest was already at an end, for the enemy's fleet, being separated, fell into confusion, a total rout ensued, and victory was no longer doubtful.

In breaking the line, the Formidable passed so near the Glorieux that I could see the cannoniers throwing away their sponges and handspikes in order to save themselves by running below, while our guns were served with the utmost animation.

II

Immediately after cutting the French line, Sir George Rodney made the signal for the van to tack, and gain the wind of the enemy, which was accordingly done. The action during the rest of the day was partial and desultory, the enemy never being able to form, and several of the ships being obliged to lie by and repair their damages.

As the signal for the line was now hauled down, every ship annoyed the enemy as their respective commanders judged best, and the French struck their colours in succession. Though the victory was decided in the moment at which the Formidable broke the French line, the effect of it on the spirits of the fleet was not complete till the Ville de Paris struck her colours. The thrill of ecstasy that penetrated every British bosom in the triumphant moment of her surrender is not to be described.