=Rochester= 50 Capt. R. Duff. =Portland= 50 M. Arbuthnot. =Falkland= 50 Fr. S. Drake. =Chatham= 50 J. Lockhart. =Minerva= 32 A. Hood. =Venus= 36 T. Harrison. =Vengeance= 28 G. Nightingale. =Coventry= 28 F. Burslem. =Maidstone= 28 D. Diggs. =Sapphire= 32 J. Strachan. FLEET OF CONFLANS _Soleil Royal_ 80 { Conflans { Capt. de Chézac. _Tonnant_ 80 Chevr. de Beauffremont, Chef d’escadre. _Formidable_ 80 Saint-André Duverger, Chef d’escadre. _Orient_ 80 Guébriant de Budez, Chef d’escadre _Itrépide_ 74 Chasteloger. _Magnifique_ 74 Bigot de Morogues. _Glorieux_ 74 Villars de Labrosse. _Thésé_ 74 de Kersaint. _Héros_ 74 Vicomte de Sanzay. _Robuste_ 74 Marquis de Vienne. _Northumberland_ 74 Chevr. de Belingant. _Juste_ 70 Saint Allouarn. _Dauphin Royal_ 70 Vicomte d’Urtubie. _Inflexible_ 70 Chevr. de Caumont. _Dragon_ 70 Levassor de Latouche. _Eveillé_ 70 Chevr. de Laprévalais. _Sphinx_ 70 Chevr. de Coutance-Laselle _Solitaire_ 70 Vicomte de Langle. _Brilliant_ 70 Boischateau. _Bizarre_ 70 Chevr. de Rohan. Frigates:—_Vestale_, _Aigrette_. Corvettes:—_Calypso_, _Prince Noir_. The first report that he was approaching the enemy was given to Hawke by the signal of the =Maidstone= at about half-past eight. But it was not until a quarter to ten that Howe in the =Magnanime=, who had been sent on to make the land and guide the fleet, was able to signal that the French fleet was ahead, and to report its force. Meanwhile the French admiral, who was at first incredulous of the approach of his opponent, had been convinced at last that the British fleet was indeed upon him, and had begun to collect his ships, which had been scattered in pursuit of Duff. He endeavoured to form a line, and appeared resolved to give battle. When Howe’s signal was seen, Hawke gave the order to form the line abreast, and for the heavy sailers which were lagging behind to set more sail and come up to his flag. As the British ships rose above the horizon both fleets were much scattered, and the admirals were endeavouring to bring them together. It was not a rapid process with sailing-ships, which could not spread much canvas in stormy weather. The whole forenoon slipped away before a shot could be fired, and all the vessels were still to the west and south of Belleisle at midday. Duff joined Hawke at eleven o’clock. The French admiral was now able to measure the strength of the force about to fall on him. He estimated it at thirty sail of the line, which even when the 50-gun ships of Commodore Duff were counted in was an exaggeration, only to be