The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-30
CHAPTER XXI,
The French Wait-Break-FIv,

The French Wait Break-FIy
At half after eight in the morning of
the same day, the great fleet Of the Eng
lish. which had been driven far over to
the westward of their destina ton by the
strong southeasterly winds and gales
which had prevailed, had arrived at a
point about thirteen leagues due west
Of Beleisle. During the night fortu-
nately the wind had shifted and was row
coming strong from the northwest.
changing to the west-northwest. The
fleet was headed to the east tor Belle
isle.
The order of sailing had been altered
soon after the fleet had cleared the Eng
fish channel. In order to be within easy
signaling distance from both ends of the
line. the Royal George had been placed
In the center Of the great 1leet Lord
Howe in the Magnaninne$ splendid shin
recently captured from the French, was
far to the northeast of the flag ship lead
ing the van to port. Vice-Ad1niral HARDY
in the Union, noble three. decker of
ninety guns. brought up the rear of his
division, and was the starboard and rear
most ship, bearing southwest, from the
center. Next to the Magnanime, in order
We're the other ships of the line, the
Warsprite, -Dorsetshire, Montagu. Tor
bay, Swiftsure, Resolution, Defiance, Re
venge. and Royal George, with the Duke;
Namur, Mars, Hero, Beaufort Chichester
Temple! Kingston. Burford" Hercules
Dunkirk, Intrepid and the Union last, in
the rear Of Hawke. Far In advance. Of
the fleet on either SIDE, were the frig-
ates Coventry and Maidstone, keeping
close watch ahead.
All the ships were under easy sail log
ging along to the eastward, keeping a.
bright lookout in all directions for a,
sight OF the enemy. In order to spread
a broad cleW, the several ships were
widely separated, covering many miles Of
sea thereby. Having arrived near where
he hoped to meet de Contains. Hawke
had no further necessity for swift move
ment. He was waiting now and was
ready to strike.
AS day broke the admiral made the
signal for the Magazine and the two
frigates to press in toward the shore.
The vessels designated clapped on sail,
and. like released hounds. sprang away
from the fleet, which, still continued mov-
ing easily along in the rear of them At
one bell. or half after eight in the morn
ing, a gun was fired from the Maidstone.
which led the trio, and at the same time
she let fly her topgallant sheets, which
was the agreed signal that the enemy
was in sight.
Hawke at once flung out signal to form
line abreast in order to draw his scat
tered fleet in position for action Then.
in spite of the wind. which was now blow
ing stronger and increasing, he shook
the reefs out of his topsails and
set the topgallant salsa man
euver which was emulated by the other
ships inmediately-and changed the
course to head direct for the fleet which
had been sighted. The ships of the fleet
at the time were in a sort of irregular
bow and quarter line-which a soldier
would have described as en- echelon-with
the Magnanime in the lead. Hawke in the
middle, the van division to windward near
est the shore and the enemy, and the re-
manning division far astern of the flag
ship and to leeward. -
Presently, as the morning wore on, the
French fleet came in sight from the other
ships of the English fleet. Twenty zone
ships Of the line the watchers counted,
with three flag officers, splendid force
indeed. Although Hawke had twenty
three capital ships, besides Duff's four
ffty-gun ships. the odds against the
French were not overwhelmingly great;
not too heavy, at any rate. for q brave
commander to risk an action with abun-
dant chances of victory. A long distance
still separated the two fleets. however
and even with the most earnest will on
both sides they could not join battle for
some time. ~ ri E rs .,g3
Until it was decided what the intentions
of de Contains were, there was nothing for
Hawke to do but hold on; trusting that
by redoubled efforts and by carrying a
press of SAIL which nothing but the ur-
gency Of the situation would have war
ranted. the rear ships might close with the
other division in time to join in the bat
tie. The Englishman also hoped that de
Contains would wait for them. With q
seamans ready eye Hawke had al once
realized that de Contains was chasing