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enemy, brings his fleet to an anchor in the self same position, or station, which they but a little before, and with a fleet so very much superior, had quitted, as thinking it untenable.

On the part of the enemy there were here no accidents, which, as in all other former cases, might be laid hold of, and held up as an excuse for want of success; nothing from winds, tides, or blowing up of particular ships; not the loss of a single mast, or yard; to furnish the shadow of an excuse, either for quitting their anchorage, or, after they had, for not overpowering with their numbers so inferior a fleet, occupying, and even fixed to an anchorage, and affording an equal opportunity of being attacked for twelve successive days.

On no occasion whatever has one, and the same fleet, been so fortunate, as in this of SIR SAMUEL HOOD forcing their opponents to se complete and unequivocal an acknowledgement of their superiority in both cases, whether we shall consider their courage and perseverance,

or their skill in seamanship.

On the 19th of February, Sir Samuel Hood anchored his squadron after sun-set in St. John's Road, Antigua; and on getting a supply of flour, and yams instead of bread, sailed again on the 22d, to seek Sir George Rodney at Barbadoes.

A few days after the junction of the two squadrons under Sir George Rodney, and Rear Admiral Hood, the fleet was further reinforced by the arrival of three ships of the line from England. The first object of Sir George Rodney was to intercept a convoy from Brest, which sailed in February with naval stores, and ammunition, for the Comte de Grasse; but in this he unfortunately failed, as the French Convoy eluded his vigilance +. In March, Sir George returned to St. Lucia, to refit his ships, and to take in a supply of water and provisions.

The British fleet at this time at St. Lucia amounted to thirty-six ships of the line, the naval force under Monsieur de Grasse to thirty-four; but, if a comparative estimate of the weight of metal, and number of men, on both sides

* See more of Mr. Clerk's opinion relative to this manœuvre, Naval Chron. vol. i. p. 139.

+ Naval Chron, vul i. p. 139.

were made, it would be found that the balance was consi derably in favour of the enemy.

The Van of our Fleet was commanded by Sir Samuel Hood, the Centre, by Sir George Rodney, and the Rear, by Admiral Drake. Though in our Memoir of Lord Rodney, we have dwelt on the succeeding manœuvres, we shall now enter more fully on such parts, as particularly relate to Sir Samuel Hood.

The French fleet began to turn out of the harbour at Port Royal, on the 8th of April,, by break of day, with a great convoy. Their movements were so immediately communicated by signals, from the frigates on the look-out, that the English were clear of Gros Islet Bay by noon, and pursued the enemy with a press of sail; in the evening our squadron came in sight of them under Dominica. On the morning of the 9th of April (1782) soon after five o'clock, the signal was thrown out to prepare for action; to form the line at two.cables length asunder; and for the ships to file, and stand on. The British fleet lay for some time becalmed; but the breeze at length reached the Van, under Sir Samuel Hood, whose squadron soon began to close with the French Centre. The Comte de Grasse immediately fell with the whole weight of his force, upon the commander who had so often baffled his attack, and now seemed to be his prey, while thus separated from the main body: the Centre, under Sir George Rodney, being four miles astern, and the Rear, under Admiral Drake, about twelve miles. At nine o'clock the action commenced. In a few minutes all the ships in Sir S. Hood's division were closely engaged, and hard pressed from the great superiority of the enemy; who had about twenty ships of the line, against the Van Squadron, which could not amount to more than seven ships. With near twenty sail of his fleet, De Grasse ranged along the van, then tacked his squadron, and repeated the engagement for near two hours: and it is upon record from the pen of the late Right Hon. Editor of the Annual Register, that Sir For 1782.-Burke.

Samuel Hood's ship, "the Barfleur, had at one time seven, and generally three ships, upon her: but nothing could be more glorious than the firm, and gallant resistance, with which, and without ever shrinking, this ship sustained the efforts of so great a superiority."

On the arrival of Sir George Rodney with part of the Centre Division, Comte de Grasse, having the command of the wind, was enabled to keep at his usual cautious distance; and, in this manner, the action was continued for near two hours longer; during which the remainder of the British fleet was kept back by calms, and baffling winds, under Dominica. The French, in their attack upon the Van, notwithstanding their great superiority, received more injury than they effected. Two of their ships were so much disabled, as to be obliged to quit the fleet, and put into Guadaloupe; by which means, the Line of Comte de Grasse was reduced to thirty-two ships. The damage, sustained by the French during their engagement with Sir Samuel Hood, was the cause of bringing on the subsequent action, and led to all its decisive consequences.

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The particulars of the glorious Twelfth of April have already been related in our Memoir of Lord Rodney: to what we have there said we shall now only add, that at the very moment of the sun's setting, on that renowned day, Sir Samuel Hood, who had been closely engaged with his old antagonist in the Ville de Paris, had the singular good for tune to behold her at length strike to the Barfleur; when the Comte de Grasse surrendered his sword unto an enemy, whose uncommon merit he was at all times ready to acknowledge:

"Lathmon beheld the son of Morni, and the tear started from his eye. He threw the sword of his fathers on the ground, and spoke the words of the valiant,-your souls are beams from heaven, your swords the flames of death."

OSSIAN.

Sir George Rodney in his public dispatches to the Admiralty, dated April 12, (1782) mentions Sir Samuel Hood as having most conspicuously exerted himself, and as being

deserving of his warmest encomiums. In another letter, of the same date, Sir George, in detailing the action of the ninth of April, says,

"The enemy first got the wind, and stood towards Guadaloupe. My Van Division, under that gallant officer Sir Samuel Hood, received it next, and stood after them. At nine the enemy began to cannonade my Van, which was returned with the greatest briskness."-Again in another part he adds,

"Such was the steady behaviour of Sir Samuel Hood, and the ships of the Van, that the enemy received more damage than they occasioned."

On the 18th of April, Sir Samuel Hood was detached with some discretionary powers in search of the enemy; on the 19th he captured the Jason, and Caton, of 64 guns each, with a frigate, and a sloop.

This distinguished officer now received a fresh mark of his Sovereign's esteem. On the 28th of May (1782) he was created Baron Hood, of Catherington, in the kingdom of Ireland; and on the 20th of June following, in the Court of Common Council assembled, the freedom of the city of London was unanimously voted him, to be presented in a gold box of 100 guineas value, " as a testimony of the high opinion, which the members of the Court entertain of his judicious, brave, and able exertions, in the various engagements with the enemy's fleet in the West Indies."

Lord Hood, in October (1782), sailed again from the West Indies, with a squadron of ships for North America, in quest of Vaudreuil; Prince William Henry, at that time serving as midshipman, under Admiral Digby at New York, was agreeable to his Majesty's commands, intrusted to Lord Hood's direction in the Barfleur; who in the month of December following returned with the squadron to the West Indies.

When the account of a cessation of hostilities had reached Jamaica, in March (1783), his Lordship permitted his Royal Highness to visit Cape François, and the Havannah, attended by proper officers. The young prince was received at both places, with every mark of distinction and politeness.

The peace, now ratified, for a time suspended the services of the admiral; and on the 26th of June (1783), he arrived with the squadron under his command at Spithead.

We have now an opportunity of seeing his Lordship in the character of a statesman*, and shall perceive that he possessed a mind, which could adapt itself with equal energy to the greatest professional duties, or to develope the dark intricacy of politics. On the 2d of March (1787), during the discussion by Parliament of the fourth charge in the accu sation brought against Warren Hastings, Esq. we observe Lord Hood delivering the following sentiments:

His Lordship, in a solemn manner, called the serious attention of the House to the consequences of proceeding, with too scrupulous a nicety, to investigate the conduct of those who had filled stations of high difficulty, and important trust. Certain actions, which appeared to those at a distance in a very criminal light, were yet on a nearer investigation perfectly justifiable on the grounds of absolute, and indispensible necessity. Should the fear of an impeachment by Parliament, said his Lordship, be hung out to every commander, in whose hands was placed the defence of our national possessions, it must necessarily operate as a dangerous restraint to their exertions; when it was considered that no general, or admiral, had scarcely ever been fortunate enough to conduct himself in the performance of his duty, without occasionally falling into circumstances, in which the public service compelled him to do things, in themselves not pleasing to his feelings, nor strictly legal, but from the indispensable necessities of their situation perfectly justifiable. The example set by the House of Commons, in the present instance, would for ever stand before our future commanders, and create a great and dangerous clog to the public service.

When the Earl of Chatham was appointed first Lord of the Admiralty i June (1788) Lord food was made one of the commissioners for exccuting the office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain.

* In the month of May 1734), I ord Hood was elected by a large majority a member for the city of West ainster. On the 30th of April (1786), he was appointed Port Admiral at Portsmonth.

+ On the 24th of September (787) his Lordship was advanced Vice-Admiral of the Blue.

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