104 NAVAL SCIENCES. 



across the deck, and the ship was in tow by a frigate. The wind had 

 veered round to Z. The Monarch and the Valiant made an attack 

 on these ships, while Count de Grasse hastened to their aid at H. At 

 4 or 5 o'clock the van-guard of the English was at D, and as it was 

 supposed that Count de Grasse had come too far to leeward to avoid 

 an engagement, the Monarch and the Valiant were recalled into the line. 

 The French, who perceived their position, took the larboard tack, hoping 

 that as the wind had veered to Y, they might regain their former point 

 beyond the reach of the English guns, especially as the rest of the fleet 

 were gathering round them. The lines A and F {fig. 29) show the position 

 of both fleets at half-past seven in the morning, when the Marlborough, the 

 first ship of the English, had reached the fifth ship of the French fleet. 

 The signal for closing the line and joining battle was now given. The 

 effect of this manoeuvre was to throw the ships on both sides in the position 

 represented in Jig. 30, where each French ship stood opposite to an English 

 one, with a vigorous interchange of shots. The French fleet at F had 

 gained the weather-gage of the enemy ; the British admiral's ship, the 

 Formidable, was within half musket-shot of the fourth French ship ; a hot 

 fire was kept up along the whole line, until a space appeared in the French 

 line making a breach possible, separating the van-guard from the rear, and 

 compelling the first ship of the French rear to go to leeward towards G. 

 Fig. 31 : A is the Formidable, the British admiral's ship ; F, the Ville de 

 Paris, which bore the flag of Count de Grasse ; B, the English van- 

 guard, lying opposite the cut-off* part of the French line; H, the last ship 

 of the French van. In Jig. 32, we see the Formidable, the Namur, and 

 the Drake making a hot fire at A, B, and C, on the first three ships of the 

 French rear-guard, which effected a retreat to G. F is the French van- 

 guard, which in two divisions attacked the English line, while the centre 

 column sailed to the westward towards H. As soon as the French van 

 had passed the English line, it separated into two divisions, one of 

 which, the centre division, consisting of six ships, sailed westward towards 

 H (pi. 28, Jig. 33), while the other, with twelve or thirteen ships, sailed 

 to the south-south-west, towards F, with Count de Grasse. A is Lord 

 Rodney's ship with a part of the centre in pursuit of the enemy's van- 

 guard, and B is the British rear-guard performing the same manoeuvre. 

 Count de Grasse now attempted to unite with his southern division, F 

 {fig. 34), and form a new line of battle. This, of course, modified the 

 plan of the English fleet, which pressed down towards AB, upon which 

 the French tacked away in the direction of I. The centre division of the 

 French, H, now attempted to follow the division G. Fig. 35 finally shows 

 the south division about 6 o'clock. The English had overtaken it ; and 

 it turned to the northwards, when it was inclosed by the British fleet, A. 

 Count de Grasse then struck his flag, and five French ships, F, were 

 taken. The ships H reached those lying at G, and with them effected 

 their retreat. 



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