396 MACBRIDE. the possession of the Phoenix, of eighty guns, the flag-ship of the Spanish admiral, in the midst of a tremendous storm. Captain Macbride was sent home express with the intel ligence, but, owing to unfavourable winds, he did not reach England till after the duplicate of the account had arrived there. On the return of the fleet to England, captain Macbride, in the month of March, again com manded the Bienfaisant, and, after a few weeks, was ordered into St. George's Channel, in quest of a large French privateer, mounting fifty-four guns. Early on the 13th of August he sell in with the object of his pursuit, off the Old Head of Kinsale, and brought the enemy to action about half after seven in the morning. The Chevalier de Clonard, who commanded the French ship, (viz. the Count d'Artois) previous to the engage ment, hoisted English colours; while those of the same denomination still continued flying on board the Bienfai sant. But captain Macbride no longer doubting that the Count d’Artois was an enemy, ordered the marines on his poop to fire; and the enemy having hoisted their proper colours, immediately returned the compliment. Some time elapsed before captain Macbride could regulate his sails, and place his ship in an advantageous position. During this interval the enemy had the effrontery to make an attempt to board him; but their efforts being unsuccess ful, an action commenced, and was closed by the surrender of the Count d'Artois, after a contest of an hour and ten minutes. The rigging, masts, and yards of the enemy suffered much injury, twenty-one of their men were killed, and thirty-five wounded. On board the Bienfaisant only three men were killed, and twenty-two wounded. During the year 1781, captain Macbride served in the North Seas, attached to a squadron employed there to watch the motions of the Dutch squadron then ready for service in the Texel. In consequence of which he was present at the engagement off the Dogger Bank, in the month of August, between vice-admiral Parker and admiral Zoutman. Captain Mac bride had been removed from the Bienfaisant to the Artois,
