d a half, found his ship in such a shattered condition, that he
made signal for one of his frigates to come and tow him out of the line.
His example was followed by the rest of his squadron, which, by this
assistance, with the favour of the land breeze and the approach of
night, made shift to accomplish their escape from the three British
ships, which were too much disabled in their masts and rigging to
prosecute their victory. One of the French squadron was rendered
altogether unserviceable for action. Their loss in men amounted to three
hundred killed, and as many wounded; whereas that of the English did not
much exceed one-third of this number. Nevertheless, they were so much
damaged, that, being unable to keep the sea, they returned to Jamaica,
and the French commodore seized the opportunity of sailing with a
great convoy for Europe. The courage of captain Forrest was not more
conspicuous in this engagement with the French squadron near Cape
Francois, than his conduct and sagacity in a subsequent adventure near
Port-au-Prince, a French harbour, situated at the bottom of a bay on the
western part of Hispaniola, behind the small island of Gonave. After M.
de Kersin had taken his departure from Cape Francois for Europe, admiral
Coats, beating up to windward from Port-Royal in Jamaica with three
ships of the line, received intelligence that there was a French fleet
at Port-au-Prince, ready to sail on their return to Europe. Captain
Forrest then presented the admiral with a plan for an attack on this
place, and urged it earnestly. This, however, was declined, and captain
Forrest directed to cruise off the island Gonave for two days only,
the admiral enjoining him to return at the expiration of the time, and
rejoin the squadron at Cape Nicholas. Accordingly captain Forrest,
in the Augusta, proceeded up the bay, between the island Gonave
and Hispaniola, with a view to execute a plan which he had himself
projected. Next day, in the afternoon, though he perceived two sloops,
he forbore chasing, that he might not risk a discovery; for the
same purpose he hoisted Dutch colours, and disguised his ship with
tarpaulins. At five in the afternoon he discovered seven sail of ships
steering to the westward, and hauled from them to avoid suspicion; but
at the approach of night gave chase with all the sail he could carry.
About ten he perceived two sail, one of which fired a gun, and the other
made the best of her way for Leoganne, anoth