in every ship,
they would probably prevent all those tragical events at sea that are
occasioned by famine.

CAPTURES MADE BY CRUISERS.

Previous to the more capital operations in war, we shall particularize
the most remarkable captures that were made upon the enemy by single
ships of war, during the course of this summer and autumn. In the month
of February, a French privateer belonging to Granville, called the
Marquis de Marigny, having on board near two hundred men, and mounted
with twenty cannon, was taken by captain Parker, commander of his
majesty's ship the Montague; who likewise made prize of a smaller armed
vessel, from Dunkirk, of eight cannon and sixty men. About the same
period, captain Graves, of the Unicorn, brought in the Moras privateer,
of St. Maloes, carrying two hundred men, and two-and-twenty cannon. Two
large merchant-ships, laden on the French king's account for Martinique,
with provisions, clothing, and arms, for the troops on that island, were
taken by captain Lendrick, commander of the Brilliant; and an English
transport from St. John's, having four hundred French prisoners on
board, perished near the Western islands. Within the circle of the same
month, a large French ship from St. Domingo, richly laden, fell in with
the Favourite ship of war, and was carried into Gibraltar.

In the month of February, captain Hood, of his majesty's frigate the
Vestal, belonging to a small squadron commanded by admiral Holmes, who
had sailed for the West Indies in January, being advanced a considerable
way ahead of the fleet, descried and gave chase to a sail, which proved
to be a French frigate called the Bellona, of two hundred and
twenty men, and two-and-thirty great guns, commanded by the count
de Beauhonoire. Captain Hood, having made a signal to the admiral,
continued the chase until he advanced within half musket-shot of the
enemy, and then poured in a broadside, which was immediately retorted.
The engagement thus begun was maintained with great vigour on both sides
for the space of four hours; at the expiration of which the Bellona
struck, after having lost all her masts and rigging, together with about
forty men killed in the action. Nor was the victor in a much better
condition. Thirty men were killed and wounded on board the Vestal.
Immediately after the enemy submitted, all her rigging being destroyed
by the shot, the topmasts fell overboard; and she was otherwise so
much damaged, that she co