his endeavours to
come up with the Ocean, which M. de la Clue commanded in person; and
about four o'clock in the afternoon, running athwart her hawse, poured
into her a furious broadside: thus the engagement began with equal
vigour on both sides. This dispute, however, was of short duration. In
about half an hour admiral Boscawen's mizen-mast and topsail-yards were
shot away, and the enemy hoisted all the sail they could carry. Mr.
Boscawen having shifted his flag from the Namur to the Newark, joined
some other ships in attacking the Centaur, of seventy-four guns, which,
being thus overpowered, was obliged to surrender. The British admiral
pursued them all night, during which the Souveraine and the Guerrier
altered their course, and deserted their commander. At day-break, M. de
la Clue, whose left leg had been broke in the engagement, perceiving the
English squadron crowding all their sails to come up with him, and
finding himself on the coast of Portugal, determined to burn his ships
rather than they should fall into the hands of the victors. The Ocean
was run ashore two leagues from Lagos, near the fort of Almadana, the
commander of which fired three shots at the English; another captain of
the French squadron followed the example of his commander, and both
endeavoured to disembark their men; but the sea being rough, this proved
a very tedious and difficult attempt. The captains of the Temeraire and
Modeste, instead of destroying their ships, anchored as near as they
could to the forts Xavier and Lagres, in hopes of enjoying their
protection; but in this hope they were disappointed. M. de la Clue had
been landed, and the command of the Ocean was left to the count de
Carne, who, having received one broadside from the America, struck his
colours, and the English took possession of this noble prize, the best
ship in the French navy, mounted with eighty cannon. Captain Bentley of
the Warspite, who had remarkably signalized himself by his courage
during the action of the preceding day, attacked the Temeraire, of
seventy-four guns, and brought her off with little damage. Vice-admiral
Broderick, the second in command, advancing with his division, burned
the Redoubtable, of seventy-four guns, which was bulged, and abandoned
by her men and officers; but they made prize of the Modeste, carrying
sixty-four guns, which had not been much injured in the engagement. This
victory was obtained by the English admiral at a very small exp