THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 575 
though so very much superior, rather than lose a single transport. 
But the French fleet did not seem inclined to come to action, notwith¬ 
standing their advantage in number, that is, they did not crowd sail as 
ships would do that had that intention. During the remainder of the 
day the French fleet kept beating to windward. We imagine they 
have heard of Admiral Rodney's five ships and are striving to get to 
windward of the island to cut him off from Admiral Parker, but the 
plan is better laid, for on the first appearance of Rodney, Parker's 
whole fleet will be under way and out to join him. An action seems 
inevitable as soon as this juncture is made. A number of guns were 
fired during the night at sea. 
March 26th. —A fine morning. The French fleet are beating be¬ 
tween the Gros Hot and Martinique, and some of their frigates are 
considerably to windward. 
March 27th. —A rainy, hazy morning. Many guns were fired this 
morning early from the French ships. They are more to windward than 
yesterday. Admiral Parker remains as before. About 10 or 11 o'clock 
we observed the French windwardmost ships bearing down and mak¬ 
ing signals to the rest of the fleet. In a little time after, the whole of 
the fleet bore away and went into Fort Royal harbour. About this 
time we saw signals made from the hill at Gros Ilot, and between 
two and three we saw five large ships from the windward coming 
round the Gros Ilot. We soon discovered them to be Admiral 
Rodney in the Sandwich , a 90 gun ship, and four 74 gun ships ; they 
anchored in the bay and were saluted by Admiral Parker. 
April 1st , 1780. —Fine morning. Gentle showers during the day. 
About 10 o'clock the fleet got under way from the Gros Ilot and stood 
over to Martinique shore. 
April 2nd. —Rainy, cold disagreeable morning. The fleet not in 
sight. Several reports of cannon at a distance. In the afternoon we 
saw our fleet under Martinique. 
April 3rd. —Fine day. The fleet is off Fort Royal harbour. Strange 
doings ! Yesterday the British fleet was braved in this harbour, to¬ 
day the British fleet block up the French. 
April 4th .— A fine clear day. Our fleet are standing over towards 
St. Lucia; about noon they returned to the Gros Hot and came to 
anchor. Admiral Rodney is very ill. 
April 5th. —Rain early this morning, the other part of the day clear 
and agreeable. Three French ships got into Fort Royal this afternoon. 
The signal was made from our hill to inform the Admiral of their 
being seen, but no notice was taken of it for an hour and a half, and 
then it was too late. Thus the great advantage of the Morne is lost 
by the inattention of the navy. 
April. 6th —A fine morning. Several transports left the Careenage 
and went to the Gros Ilot. A movement of some kind or other seems 
to be on foot, for small vessels and men were collected at the Careen¬ 
age yesterday and to-day. 
April 7th. —A fine and cool morning. Our fleet remains as usual at 
the Gros Ilot. The bombs and tenders, with Captain Williamson, left 
