(19)
Royal George and mounted an hundred and twelve guns, but was pierced for an hundred and fifteen. Between three and four in the afternoon we came to action, the two French Admirals was in the very middle of the French line, both together. we knew them by their large white flags: Our brave Admiral Hawk ſtood on the gunnel of his own ſhip and ordered her to be run directly between the two French Admirals, and when oppoſite to both, having his ports open and all things ready, gave each of them ſuch a broad ſide, as cut down both their riggings and made their whole broad sides above the water ⟨to⟩ open as the ſide of an old big house: this fatal blow given to the two Admirals diſcouraged the whole French fleet, and gave the reſt of the Engliſh fleet the leſs to do; the Duke of York was on board our ſhip and beheaved like a hero: But indeed many of the Engliſh ſhips there got little to do, but to look on and ſave what lives they could; for ſome of the French ſhips being intirely ſank, others with their maſts and rigging cut clean away, the ſailors and marins with cufrage-boxes on their bellies came ſweaming past us like flocks of wild ducks, ſome crying “O, mercy, mercy dear Country Inglateer,” our Captain ordered out a boat to ſave what they could of them, but after they had taken in what the boat could hold, they came ſo thick that the boat was overſet and all periſhed: and our Captain would ſuffer no more boats to be lanſhed. The Duke received a ſhot between wind and water, which was like to prove her ruin, they yocked their chain pomps and all they had to work to keep her above, but ſtill the water in-
