THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 569 
got into Martinique, although ours has been on the look out for him 
for some time, but as usual cruising in the wrong place. 
December 17th .—This morning a fleet of 20 or 30 sail appeared in 
sight to windward of Martinique. We fired a gun from our hill and 
hoisted the colour up and down 30 times to let our fleet know of it, 
which directly afterwards made signal for all boats to be put under 
way. The fleet above mentioned is a French one and is now going 
close along the Martinique shore to get into Fort Royal. Our fleet of 
18 sail is crowding across to intercept them. At about one o'clock 
the headmost of ours fired several shot at one of the French ships, 
but it being hazy, we cannot distinguish objects clearly. At about 
half past one several of our ships seemed to be amongst the French 
and fired a good deal and from what we can discern at the distance, 
several of the French ships must be taken. If our fleet had been out 
one hour sooner the whole of them probably would have fallen into 
our hands. In the evening two ships were seen on fire on the shore of 
Martinique, which burnt very fiercely the greatest part of the night. 
December 19th. —A very fine clear morning, we can see our fleet at 
and near the entrance of Fort Royal harbour. Their number is 
augmented to 25 or 26 sail, so that they have taken several prizes. 
This morning two more ships were set on fire on the shore of Mar¬ 
tinique. The weather very fine and clear all day. Two prizes came 
to anchor in the Careenage and several others with two men-of-war 
went to the Gros Hot. The remainder of our fleet are near Fort Royal 
harbour. 
December 20th. —Very fine and calm morning. Our fleet are going 
to windward except two or three ships that are attending the prizes. 
We cannot yet learn what number have been taken or destroyed. One 
of the men-of-war at the Gros Ilot, the Conqueror, fired 45 half¬ 
minute guns this morning on the death of her Captain, Griffiths, 
who was killed on the 18th, when he was in Fort Royal harbour. His 
ship was considerably the headmost of our fleet and made a frigate 
and seven ships strike to him. Three French men-of-war went down 
the harbour, seeing him alone, and began a heavy fire upon him, but 
at a great distance, which he returned and continued the engagement 
with them all for near two hours before any of the other ships got to 
his assistance. The shot that took Griffiths killed also three other men 
which were our total loss—very unfortunate—he was a brave officer. 
Nine ships of the French are taken and five burnt. A French 20 
gun ship-of-war is among the number, and a frigate did strike to the 
Conqueror, but when the French men-of-war engaged the latter, the 
frigate and some others got up the harbour away from her. 
December 21st. —The prizes are all at anchor in the Gros Hot. A 
division of our fleet of 14 ships under Admiral Rowley are cruising to 
windward, and another to leeward, under Commodore Collingwood. 
Admiral Parker with the others in the Gros Ilot are going to anchor. 
This day remarkably fine and very hot. About half past three this 
afternoon I saluted the Admiral with 13 guns just as he came to anchor. 
He did not return it till the next morning at sunrise, the reason of this 
