On the 22nd July, the French fleet weighed, and proceeded to Rhode Island, off which place Lord Howe made his appearance, Aug. 9, and the day following M. d’Estaing put to sea, with a fresh breeze from the N.E., and bore down on the British squadron. Lord Howe edged away to draw the enemy off the land, in hopes of being able to gain the advantage of the wind; but it still continued adverse. On the 12th, he was resolved to risk an action, notwithstanding the great superiority of their force; for this purpose he drew his ships into the order of battle, and shortened sail. In order to conduct the manoeuvres of the squadron, Lord Howe quitted the Eagle, (leaving his flag flying in that ship) and went on board the Apollo frigate. Scarcely were the rival forces arranged in the order of battle, and in momentary expectation of commencing a desperate action, when the wind began to blow with great violence, which soon increased to a dreadful storm. The next day only seven of Lord Howe’s ships were with him. The Apollo having lost her fore mast, he went on board the Phoenix, and steered for New York.
On the evening of the 13th, the Renown, of 50 guns, Captain Dawson, discovered the Languedoc, of 80 guns, (the French Admiral’s ship) at anchor, and totally dismasted. Captain Dawson made his attack with great skill and bravery; but the night being extremely dark and tempestuous, he ceased firing, and continued near her with a view of renewing the action the next morning; at day-break, to his great mortification, several of the French ships hove in sight, and bore down to the relief of their distressed Admiral. On the same night the Preston crossed the Tonnant, of 80 guns, with
was equally meritorious; they earnestly solicited employment, and chearfully took their stations at the guns, and assisted in all other duties of a common sailor. Others put to sea in light vessels, to watch the motions of the enemy, and performed various essential services. One in particular, with a noble disinterestedness, offered to convert his vessel, which was the whole of his fortune, into a fire-ship, to be conducted by himself. The public spirit, zeal, and bravery, were not less conspicuous amoug the troops, who contended the point of honour to serve as marines on board the fleet; it was at length decided by lot, which fell to the share of the light infantry and grenadiers. The British squadron lay in this situation for several days, with the continual mortification of seeing vessels captured, without a possibility of affording them relief.
