374 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 
Isis not in a condition to follow him, he wore round, and by crowding 
all the sail he could carry made his escape. During the engagement, 
a French officer of rank, remarkably well dressed, being observed 
animating the sailors who had deserted their quarters, some of the 
light infantry on board the Isis took aim at and laid him flat on the 
deck. 
Last Saturday, 15th inst., in the afternoon, about 20 leagmes to 
the S.E. of Sandy Hook, H.M. ship Renown of 50 guns, Captain 
Dawson, fell in with the Languedoc of 90 guns, commanded by Comte 
d’ Estaing, which had been dismasted in the late storm. The Renown 
immediately attacked him on the quarter and kept up a brisk and 
well-directed fire from 4 o’clock till dark and the Languedoc’s flag¬ 
staff was knocked down by the first broadside. During the night 
she continued firing guns and making signals of distress. Next 
morning at daybreak Captain Dawson observed six large French ships 
bearing down to the French admiral’s assistance, which made it pru¬ 
dent for him to get away. No less distinguished was the conduct of 
Commodore Hotham, who in H.M. ship Preston of 50 guns, engaged 
the Tonnant of 80, which had lost her bowsprit and foremast in the 
storm, raking her fore and aft for a considerable time, and would 
have certainly brought her in, had not some of her consorts bore 
down to her assistance. 
Lord Howe’s Order, August 17th. 
“The bravery of the officers and ship’s company of the Isis , 
amongst which the volunteers from the transports, and the soldiers of 
the 23rd regiment, have been particularly noticed, in a late action 
with a French 74, bearing a flag at the mizen-top-mast head, by them 
supposed to be the Zele 1 and the distinguished ability and resolution 
of Captain Raynes shown on that occasion claims from the Admiral 
the publick acknowledgment of their meritorious services, by which 
they have furnished a bright example for the imitation of the 
British fleet.” 
August 25th. —Lord Howe with his fleet put to sea from the Hook 
in search of the French, who are it seems returned to Rhode Island 
after repairing those of their ships that were damaged by the storm. 
The Isis was obliged to come up to town, as her masts, sails, and rig¬ 
ging are all damaged. The Monmouth has joined Lord Howe. 
A list of the French fleet under the command of the Comte d’ 
Estaing:— 
Languedoc, 
90 
Fantasque, 
64 
Tonnant, 
80 
Provence, 
64 
Caesar, 
74 
Vaillant, 
64 
Zele, 
74 
Sagittaire, 
54 
Hector, 
74 
Chimere, 
30 
Marseilles, 
74 
Engagement, 
26 
Protecteur, 
74 
Alcmene, 
26 
Guerrier, 
74 
Aimahle, 
26 
1 It was the Ccesar, 74. 
