the first divided at their quarters to fight both sides at once; her masts were all shot away; the main-mast fell in-board, and the whole of the quarter-deck and forecastle guns were
On the 11th June, Earl Howe entered the Channel with the prizes in tow [see below]; and two days after arrived at Spithead with part of his fleet, and the trophies of his victory, having ordered a detachment under Admiral Graves to put into Plymouth. On the 26th, their late Majesties arrived at Portsmouth, and went on board the Queen Charlotte. The King held a levee, and presented the veteran Chief with a diamond hilt sword, valued at 3000 guineas, also a gold chain with a medal suspended, to be worn round the neck. The royal party dined with his Lordship, and in the evening returned on shore.
| Guns. | |
| Sans Pareil | 84 |
| Juste | 84 |
| Amérique | 78 |
| Impétueux | 78 |
| Northumberland | 78 |
| Achille | 78 |
Earl Howe in his public despatches, made particular mention of the following officers. His Majesty on the 30th Nov. 1796, was pleased to order a gold medal emblematical of the victory, to be presented to each, to be worn round the neck by the Admirals, suspended from a gold chain; and by the Captains attached to a blue and white ribbon through the third and fourth button-holes, on the left side. Admirals Graves and Sir Alexander Hood, Rear-Admirals Bowyer, Gardner, and Pasley. Captains Lord Hugh Seymour, Sir Roger Curtis, Sir A. S. Douglas, James Gambier, Hon. Thomas Pakenham, Hon. George Berkeley, John Harvey, Henry Harvey, Thomas Pringle, J. W. Payne, William Parker, I. T. Duckworth, Henry Nicholls, John Elphinstone, and William Hope. We have reason to believe that Captain William Domett also received a medal, though his name does not appear in the above list.
His Majesty’s approbation of the conduct and bravery of the officers and men in the above actions was also made known in public orders, together with the thanks of both houses of parliament.
A most liberal subscription was opened for the relief of the wounded officers, seamen, and marines; and also the widows and children of those who so gloriously fell on these days in the service of their king and country. The city of London subscribed 500l. The Corporation of the Trinity House gave 200 guineas; and the cities of Edinburgh and Dublin also contributed very liberally.
As a further mark of encouragement and favour to the fleet, the legislature repealed the duty of five per cent, on prize ships, as far as relates to ships of war, or privateers taken from the enemy.
