LORD GAMBIER.
75
On the 18th Nov., the fleet, being on a cruise in the Bay of Biscay, got sight of a French squadron, to which chace was immediately given; but the enemy being considerably to windward, and the weather thick and squally, they effected their escape. The Defence in the pursuit carried away her top-masts.
It was not until the month of May, 1794, that the Brest Fleet put to sea, and then only for the express purpose of protecting a fleet laden with corn; the pressure of want throughout France being so great, that the party then in power determined rather to risk a defeat than be exposed to a famine. In the actions that ensued[1], Captain Gambier bore a most
- ↑ On 19th May, Earl Howe having obtained certain intelligence that the enemy had some days before put to sea, and were then not many leagues to the westward of him, went immediately in pursuit of them. On the morning of the 28th, being then about 100 leagues distant from Ushant, the French fleet was discovered to windward, it then blowing fresh from the S.S.W. with a rough sea. Upon their perceiving the British fleet, they bore down in a loose order, and soon after hauled again to the wind, and began to form in order of battle. The British fleet still continuing in the order of sailing, excepting the division under Rear-Admiral Pasley, who had advanced a considerable distance to windward of the main body, and was coming fast up with the enemy’s rear. About a quarter before two P.M., Earl Howe made the signal for a general chace, and to engage the enemy. Towards the evening, Rear-Admiral Pasley, in the Bellerophon, 74 guns, closed with the rear ship of the French line, the Revolutionnaire, of 110 guns, on which he commenced a firm and resolute attack, supported occasionally by the ships under his orders. The Bellerophon being soon disabled, bore down to the main body of the fleet; her opponent, also, having had her mizen-mast shot away, fell to leeward of her station. While in this state, she was intercepted by the Leviathan, another 74, commanded by Lord Hugh Seymour, who engaged her until the coming up of the Audacious, a ship of the same force; then passed on, fired a broadside at the next French ship, and dropped to the rear. Captain William Parker continued to engage his huge opponent for two hours without intermission, when the Revolutionnaire, having lost her lower yards and main-top-sail yard, and being otherwise much shattered, fell athwart hawse of the Audacious; but the ships soon getting clear of each other, the enemy put before the wind; neither was it in the power of Captain Parker to follow her, his rigging and sails being cut to pieces, and the ship for some time quite unmanageable. At day-light on the following morning, he discovered nine of the enemy’s ships about three miles to windward of the Audacious; two of them gave chace; her situation for some time was very alarming, but by the active exertions of the officers and men,
