574 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 
Letters to Mrs. Grosvenor, Mrs. Hunter, Mrs. D. and Uncle D. 
February 29th. —The fleet as before, and fine weather. We are told 
that a French army of 10,000 men, convoyed by 15 sail of the line, 
are on their passage from Europe to the West Indies. Admiral Parker 
is preparing to intercept them. 
March 8th, 1780. —A sailor was hanged this day on board the fleet 
in the Gros Ilot, for desertion. The whole fleet is still there. 
March 21st. —Admiral Rodney has arrived at Barbadoes with three 
sail of the line. A fine day. 
March 22nd. —A frigate arrived from Barbadoes informing us of 
four regiments being arrived from England. I went to the Choc this 
morning on board Captain Williamsons ship. He commands the 
Artillery on the present expedition, which we are now told is against 
the Grenadines. In the afternoon, a fleet of 30 or 40 sail were seen to 
leeward, not far distant from Martinique, supposed to be the French 
fleet that has been expected some time. They have managed well, for 
Admiral Rodney's ships are cruising between this island and Martinique 
to windward, and Commodore Collingwood with four or five ships be¬ 
tween Martinique and Guadeloupe to leeward. A very windy day. 
March 23rd. —Admiral Parker and his fleet got under way this 
morning from the Choc. He is too late. The French fleet are certain¬ 
ly got into port, for we cannot see anything of them from the hill. 
Our whole fleet anchored in the Gros Ilot, and all the transports, bombs, 
&c., came into the Careenage. A hazy, windy day. 
March 24th. —This morning a fleet of men-of-war and frigates, 28 or 
30 sail were seen standing from Fort Royal harbour towards St. Lucia. 
We soon found them to be French. Two of their ships went very near 
the Gros Ilot and made signals. Our fleet kept snug. In the after¬ 
noon, Captain Williamson and his men landed at the battery at the 
entrance of the Careenage, and all the transports warped up into the 
bay. In the evening the Cyclops and consort sailed with a detach¬ 
ment of troops to strengthen St Kitts and Antigua. A great many 
guns were fired in the night from the French fleet. 
March 25th. —A fine morning. The French fleet are a few miles to 
leeward, except two ships which are very near the Gros Ilot. Mortify¬ 
ing enough no doubt to Admiral Parker and his officers. The whole 
fleet have their topsails loosed. Admiral Rodney we are told is expect¬ 
ed this very day from Barbadoes. About 8 o'clock a number of ships 
were seen to windward coming down ; Admiral Parker and his whole 
fleet got under way and stood to windward. The French fleet was to 
leeward of him on the same tack. About 12, the French fleet tacked 
and stood to the southward; about one o'clock the English did the 
same, at this very time near 30 sail of shipping appeared in sight round 
the Gros Hot, the whole of which soon came to anchor at the Careen¬ 
age. They are last from Barbadoes, and have on board four new 
regiments from England. As soon as the admiral saw the transports 
out of danger, he returned to the Gros Ilot, and came to anchor in ex¬ 
ceedingly regular and good order. Admiral Parker has much merit 
on this occasion, his determination being to fight the French fleet, 
