The _Soleil_ had brought intelligence which she had gained from the crew of a prize she had captured a few days before, that the Count de Grasse had borne away for Saint Christopher's, where he had landed a force under the Marquis de Boullie, which it was feared would overpower General Fraser. The news soon ran through the fleet that, instead of waiting to be attacked, we were forthwith to sail in search of the French, to attack them. In a short time, at a signal thrown out from the flag-ship, the fleet, consisting of twenty-two sail of the line and several frigates, got under way, and stood out from Carlisle Bay. We first proceeded to Antigua, where we obtained fresh provisions, and took on board the 28th regiment of foot and two companies of the 13th, under the command of General Prescott; and on the evening of the same day we sailed for Saint John's Roads, and stood under easy sail for Basse Terre, two of our frigates going ahead to give timely notice of what the French were about. We and the _Nymph_ frigate were on one flank, and two others on the opposite side. We were fully expecting that we should have warm work in the morning. Few of the officers turned in. When a large fleet is sailing together, it is necessary to keep a very bright look-out. We could dimly see the other ships, with their lights burning, as we glided over the water. Presently Nettleship, near whom I was standing, remarked-- "There are two of them closer together than they should be;" and the next instant he exclaimed, "They're foul of each other! I feared that it would be the case." Signals of distress were now thrown out from both the ships. We on this closed with them; and Captain Macnamara ordered the boats to be lowered, to ascertain what had happened, and to render assistance. I went in one of them with our second lieutenant. The first we boarded proved to be the _Nymph_. She had been run into by the _Alfred_. She was dreadfully knocked about, being almost cut in two. We heard aboard her that the _Alfred_ herself had also been severely damaged. A boat was at once sent to report what had happened to the admiral, and as soon as daylight dawned he threw out signals to the whole fleet to lay to while the injuries the _Alfred_ had received were being repaired. The _Nymph_ herself was too severely damaged to proceed, and was ordered at once to return to Antigua. While we were lying to, a sail was seen in the distance, when the admiral ordered by signal the _Liffy_ to chase. Before long we came up with her. She proved to be a large French cutter, laden with shells and ordnance stores for the besieging army.