between the seventh and eighth ships. She had successively three or four ships engaging her; the men being almost from
mounting 2098 guns, seven frigates, one brig, one hospital-ship, one fire-vessel, and two cutters. At half past seven A.M., his Lordship made the signal to bear up, and for each ship to engage her opponent in the enemy’s line, who seemed to wait for the attack with great resolution. In a short time, a most tremendous cannonade commenced from van to rear, which raged with unceasing fury for about an hour. The enemy’s line having been forced through in several places, they began to give way; their Admiral, Villaret Joyeuse, in the Montagne, of 120 guns, on board of which ship was the Conventional Deputy Jean Bon Saint André, vigorously attacked by the Queen Charlotte, bore up in great confusion, and was followed by all those of his ships which were able to carry sail, leaving the rest which were crippled, at the mercy of their enemies. Upon the clearing up of the smoke, twelve French vessels were seen, some totally dismasted, and others with only one mast standing, endeavouring to make off under their spritsails. Seven of these were taken possession of; one, le Vengeur, of 74 guns, sunk before the whole of her crew could be taken out, not more than 213 of whom were saved. A distant and irregular firing was continued at intervals between the fugitive and British ships, till about four P.M.; the French Admiral by this time had collected most of his remaining vessels, and steered off to the eastward.
The loss sustained by the British in these battles, amounted to 290 men killed, and 858 wounded. Captain Montagu was the only officer of his rank who was slain. Rear-Admirals Bowyer and Pasley, and Captain Hutt, had each a leg, and Captain John Harvey an arm amputated. The latter died a few days after his arrival at Portsmouth. The killed on board the enemy’s ships which were captured, amounted to 690, wounded 580, exclusive of about 320 lost in le Vengeur when she sunk; and the total loss sustained by the republican fleet, must have been at least double, if not treble that amount.
| Bellerophon | Rear-Admiral Thomas Pasley. Captain William Hope. | |
| Culloden | Isaac Schomberg | |
| Defence | James Gambier. | |
| Invincible | Hon. Thomas Pakenham. | |
| Majestic | Charles Cotton. | |
| Marlborough | Hon. G. C. Berkeley. | |
| Montagu | James Montagu. | |
| Orion | John Thomas Duckworth. | |
| Ramillies | Henry Harvey. | |
| Russell | John Willet Payne. | |
| Thunderer | Albemarle Bertie. | |
| Tremendous | James Pigott. |
