wearing
together was therefore differently interpreted by Rodney. "The action
in the centre continued till 4.15 P.M., when M. de Guichen, in the
_Couronne_, the _Triomphant_, and the _Fendant_, after engaging the
_Sandwich_ for an hour and a half, bore away. The superiority of fire
from the _Sandwich_, and the gallant behavior of the officers and men,
enabled her to sustain so unequal a combat; though before attacked
by them, she had beat three ships out of their line of battle, had
entirely broke it, and was to leeward of the French Admiral." Possibly
the French accounts, if they were not so very meagre, might dispute
this prowess of the flagship; but there can be no doubt that Rodney
had set an example, which, had it been followed by all, would have
made this engagement memorable, if not decisive. He reported that the
captains, with very few exceptions, had placed their ships improperly
(cc). The _Sandwich_ had eighty shot in her hull, had lost her
foremast and mainyard, and had fired 3288 rounds, an average of 73
to each gun of the broadside engaged. Three of her hits being below
the water line, she was kept afloat with difficulty during the next
twenty-four hours. With the wearing of the French the battle ceased.

In the advantage offered by the enemy, whose order was too greatly
extended, and in his own plan of attack, Rodney always considered this
action of April 17th, 1780, to have been the great opportunity of his
life; and his wrath was bitter against those by whose misconduct he
conceived it had been frustrated. "The French admiral, who appeared
to me to be a brave and gallant officer, had the honour to be nobly
supported during the whole action. It is with concern inexpressible,
mixed with indignation, that the duty I owe my sovereign and my
country obliges me to acquaint your Lordships that during the action
between the French fleet, on the 17th inst, and his Majesty's, the
British flag was not properly supported." Divided as the Navy was
then into factions, with their hands at each other's throats or at
the throat of the Admiralty, the latter thought it more discreet to
suppress this paragraph, allowing to appear only the negative stigma
of the encomium upon the French officers, unaccompanied by any upon
his own. Rodney, however, in public and private letters did not
conceal his feelings; and the censure found its way to the ears of
those concerned. Subsequently, three months after the action, in a
public