position A, represent the English ships
bearing down upon the French centre and rear. The line v r is the
line-of-battle from van to rear before bearing down. The positions v',
r', are those of the van and rear ships after hauling up on the port
tack, when the French wore.

[142] In a severe reprimand addressed to Captain Carkett, commanding
the leading ship of the English line, by Rodney, he says: "Your leading
in the manner you did, induced others to follow so bad an example; and
thereby, forgetting that the signal for the line was at only two
cables' length distance from each other, the van division was led by
you to _more than two leagues distance_ from the centre division, which
was thereby exposed to the greatest strength of the enemy and not
properly supported" (Life, vol. i. p. 351). By all rules of tactical
common-sense it would seem that the other ships should have taken their
distance from their next astern, that is, should have closed toward the
centre. In conversation with Sir Gilbert Blane, who was not in this
action, Rodney stated that the French line extended four leagues in
length, "as if De Guichen thought we meant to run away from him" (Naval
Chronicle, vol. xxv. p. 402).

[143] History of the American Revolution.

[144] For Rodney's reasons, see his Life, vol. i. pp. 365-376.

[145] At the eastern end of Long Island.

[146] The French ascribe this disadvantage to the fact that some of
their ships were not coppered.

[147] That the French government was not satisfied with M.
Destouches's action can be safely inferred from its delay to reward
the officers of the squadron, which called forth much feeling and very
lively remonstrances. The French asserted that Arbuthnot was hooted in
the streets of New York and recalled by his government. The latter is
a mistake, as he went home by his own request; but the former is
likely enough. Both commanders reversed in this case the usual naval
policy of their nations.

[148] Bancroft: History of the United States.

[149] Life of Rodney, vol. ii. p. 152; Clerk: Naval Tactics, p. 84.

[150] De Barras had been unwilling to go to the Chesapeake, fearing to
be intercepted by a superior force, and had only yielded to the
solicitation of Washington and Rochambeau.

[151] Naval Researches: Capt. Thomas White, R.N.

[152] White: Naval Researches.

[153] Bouclon: La Marine de Louis XVI., p. 281. Under a rather
misleading title this work is really a lengthy bi