roceed, and to add fresh laurels to those he had so gloriously gained
in the service of his king and country.

CHAPTER VII.

1793, 1794.

Sir James Saumarez is placed under the orders of Admiral
McBride.--Is detached, and attacks an Enemy's squadron.--Narrow
Escape from Shipwreck.--Off Havre.--Cherbourg.--Private Letters
relating the particulars of several Cruises on the French
coast.--Gallant Action with a French squadron of superior force
off Guernsey.

Sir James was now placed under the orders of Admiral McBride, who gave
him the command of a squadron, consisting of the Crescent and Druid,
frigates, Liberty brig, and Lion cutter. The first service he had to
perform was to carry a small convoy of transports with troops, &c. to
Guernsey and Jersey, and furthermore to obtain pilots for the
admiral's squadron.

We shall not attempt to describe the enthusiastic reception which Sir
James and his gallant crew received from their loyal and patriotic
countrymen in these islands; but his stay was short. Despatching the
Liberty to reconnoitre St. Maloes, he proceeded to Jersey, and, having
reconnoitred Granville, returned to Guernsey Roads on the 28th of
November, when he detached the Lion with pilots to the admiral; and,
pursuant to orders, sailed to the adjacent coast of France to assist
the royalists.

The following is his account of an attempt to attack a French squadron
in the bay of Brehat.

Crescent, off Guernsey, 7th Dec. 1793.

SIR,

I have the honour to acquaint you, that pursuant to your orders
I sailed from Guernsey Roads the night of the 5th instant, in
his Majesty's ship Crescent, under my command, together with the
Druid frigate and Liberty brig. The wind being to the southward,
we were unable to fetch to windward off Cape Frehel in the
morning; and observing several sail at anchor off the isles of
Brehat, particularly two large ships and a brig, in a bay to the
northward, which there appeared a great probability of attacking
with success, I stood in for them; but the tide of ebb setting
us to the westward, prevented our fetching into the bay, and
enabled the enemy's ships to get under way with the first of the
flood, and save themselves between the rocks. We were however in
time to fire several shot at the largest, which, as well as the
others, appeared armed _en flute_ and deeply laden.

Finding it impossible to follow t