five ships was engaged throughout; but of the second the Flamand and the Brillant alone came to close quarters, the remaining four, disobeying the direct orders of the commodore, keeping up only a distant fire.
On the part of the English the brunt of the attack was borne by the Exeter and the Superb. The former, fought splendidly by Captain King, was terribly riddled. Her loss in killed and wounded was very great. The Superb, too, suffered severely.
At seven o'clock the combat ceased as if by mutual consent. Darkness had come on, and Suffren was too ill-satisfied with the conduct of five of his captains to risk a continuance of the contest. Sir Edward Hughes on his side was well content that it should cease. He was expecting reinforcements from England and by bearing down to the south he was likely to meet them. An opportunity would then offer to renew the battle on more advantageous terms. Taking advantage then of the quiescent attitude of the enemy he made all sail to the south.
It is probable that on this occasion, for the first and only time in his life, Suffren missed a great opportunity. He had on the whole had the advantage in the action. He had reduced one of the enemy's ships to an almost sinking condition[1] and their losses had been heavier than his own.
- ↑ "At the close of the action when she (the Exeter) had been most dreadfully cut up, two fresh vessels of the enemy's squadron bore down upon her. The Master asked Commodore King what he should do with her under the circumstances. His reply was "there is nothing to be done but to fight till she sinks." Just at this moment the two French ships were recalled. Campbell.
