_Barfleur_, had seven of the enemy's ships firing upon her, and during the greatest part of the action not less than three. The example of the _Barfleur_ was followed by all the rest of the division, so that no advantage could be obtained over them. At length part of the centre got near enough to engage; and the breeze soon afterwards reaching the rear of the British fleet, the Count de Grasse withdrew his ships, and having the advantage of the wind was enabled to decline any further contest, notwithstanding all the endeavours of Admiral Rodney to continue it. During this partial engagement the _Royal Oak_ and the _Montague_, the leading ships of the van, sustained considerable damage. Captain Boyne of the _Alfred_ was killed. Two of the French ships were so disabled as to be obliged to take shelter in Guadaloupe. The British fleet lay to all the night after the action for the purpose of repairing their damages, but the next morning made sail to the windward in pursuit of the enemy. But the pursuit seemed in vain, for on the morning of the 11th the French fleet had got so far to windward that some of their ships were scarcely visible. About noon on April 11th one of the enemy's ships was seen in a disabled state, a great way to windward; Admiral Rodney now entertained hopes that he should either be able to capture her or to bring on a general engagement, if the Count de Grasse bore down to her support; he therefore ordered a general chase. Towards evening, one of the leading ships of the British approached so near the disabled ship of the enemy, that her capture was inevitable if she were not assisted. The Count de Grasse, perceiving her danger, bore down with his whole fleet for her protection. Admiral Rodney had now gained his object; for by nightfall the two fleets were very near each other: it was necessary, however, to put off the engagement till the next day, April 12th. Still, however, as during the night the French admiral might have drawn off his fleet, Admiral Rodney took such measures as effectually prevented this from taking place; so that when daylight broke he had the satisfaction to perceive that the Count de Grasse, even if so inclined, could not avoid a general engagement. The action was begun about half-past seven in the morning of the 12th by Captain Penny, of the _Marlborough_, the leading ship of the British van. The two fleets met on opposite tacks; the British ranging slowly along--there being but little wind--and close under the lee of the enemy's line, continuing a most tremendous fire, which the French received and returned with the utmost firmness. About noon, Sir George Rodney in the _Formidable_, having passed the _Ville de Paris_, the French admiral's ship, and her second--and during her passage directing against them a most tremendous and effective fire--stood athwart the line of the enemy, between the second and third ship astern of the _Ville de Paris_; she was immediately followed and