cloud which appeared on the point of bursting over this country. With this situation, together with all the circumstances which led to it, Sir John was perfectly well acquainted; but very little relief could be expected, highly as the abilities of its commander might be estimated, from a squadron consisting of ten ships of the line, which, putting the French force at Toulon totally out of the question, had to contend with an enemy of nearly three times its own force.
This disparity of numbers was in some degree reduced by the arrival of Rear-Admiral Parker, with five sail of the line, from England, who formed a junction with Sir John Jervis off Cape St. Vincent, on the 6th Feb. 1797[1]. Still, however, his force was so very unequal to that of the enemy, that nothing but the existing case could have warranted the attack; nor any thing short of the greatest exertions in regard
- ↑ The British squadron, after this junction had been effected, consisted of the following ships, whose names are given according to the order in which they were formed previous to the commencement of the action on the 14th.
Guns. Culloden 74 Captain Thomas Troubridge. Blenheim 98 Thomas Lenox Frederick. Prince George 98 Rear-Admiral William Parker.
Captain John Irwin.Orion 74 James Saumarez. Irresistible 74 George Martin. Colossus 74 George Murray. Victory 100 Admiral Sir John Jervis, K.B.
First Captain, Robert Calder.
Second Captain, George Grey.Barfleur 98 Vice-Admiral Hon. Wm . Waldegrave,
(Now Lord Radstock.)
Captain James Richard Dacres.Goliah 74 Sir Charles H. Knowles, Bart. Egmont 74 John Sutton. Britannia 100 Vice-Admiral Charles Thompson.
Captain Thomas Foley.Namur 98 James Hawkins Whitshed. Captain 74 Ralph Willet Miller. Diadem 64 George Henry Towry. Excellent 74 Cuthbert Collingwood With the Lively, Niger, and Southampton frigates, two sloops of war, and a cutter.
