Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/50

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24
THE REIGN

land-forces were commanded by the Marshal Schmettau, and the fleet by the Prince of Philigroff; their superiority was formidable, not only in number of ships but they were in general larger than the English; and their sailors had former successes imprinted in their minds. The Duke of Grafton having collected the British squadrons set sail with a fair wind for the Baltic, but the third day he was blown by a storm on the coast of Holland; unfortunately the enemy's fleet was out of the Sound before the wind changed, and the same storm brought them in sight of the British fleet. It blew very hard when the engagement began[1], which was about four in the afternoon, with great fury. The Duke and the Prince both exerted themselves with great vigour, and fought with the most heroic bravery. The Royal George of 100 guns the English Admi-

  1. November 3.

ral's