Copy of a letter from Rear-Adm. Sir Samuel Hood to Sir George B. Rodney [enclosure, presumably of 0619] providing a very detailed account of an encounter with and action against an enemy fleet and convoy, including reports of damage suffered by various British ships and some British casualties.
The aim of Transcribe Georgian Papers is to produce useable text documents of the manuscript materials and not critical editions. Please be aware this document may contain errors in the transcription.
Found an error? Please report errors and issues in the transcription to transcribegpp@wm.edu.
the French Admiral having filled and drawing a head, at 17 Minutes past One made the Shrewsbury's Signal (the leading Ship) to make more Sail and set the Top gallant Sails, at 34 Minutes past I repeated the Signal for a close Line of Battle and finding not one in ten of the Enemy's Shots reached us I ceased firing, the Enemy did the same soon after, but their Van and Our's, being somewhat nearer continued to Engage and though the French Admiral had Ten Sail astern of him and three others to Windward He was backward in making a nearer approach. The Merchant Ships at this time were hauling in close under the Sand, attended by two Ships of two Docks supposed to be Armed [[underline]] En Fleete, [[/underline]] & two frigates, at 18 minutes past 3 the firing ceased between our Van and that of the Enemy--Made the Shrewsburys Signal to make more Sail in Order to get to Windward of the Enemy 45 Minutes past 4 sent Captain Finch to the Shrewsbury to Order Captain Robinson to keep as near the Wind and carry all the Sail he could so as to preserve the Line of Battle, and to return back a long the Line to acquaint every Captain [[addition]] ^ of [[/addition]] the same; at 57 Minutes past 5 the Packet going to Antigua which had kept Company with the Squadron came within hail to acquaint me by Order of Rear Admiral Drake that the Russel was in great distress having received several Shot between Wind and Water, that the Water was over the Platform of the Magazine and gaining upon the Pumps, and that [[catchword]] three [[/catchword]]
