and the action ceased. "I made an effort to form
the line, in order to renew the action," wrote Parker in his report,
"but found it impracticable. The enemy appeared to be in as bad a
condition. Both squadrons lay-to a considerable time near each other,
when the Dutch, with their convoy, bore away for the Texel. We were
not in a condition to follow them."

This was a most satisfactory exhibition of valour, and a most
unsatisfactory battle; magnificent, but not war. The completion of
their voyage by the British merchant ships, while the Dutch were
obliged to return to the port which they had just left, may be
considered to award success, and therefore the essentials of victory,
to Parker's fleet. With this exception the _status quo_ remained much
as before, although one of the Dutch ships sank next day; yet the
British loss, 104 killed and 339 wounded, was nearly as great as
in Keppel's action, where thirty ships fought on each side, or in
Rodney's of April 17th, 1780, where the British had twenty sail;
greater than with Graves off the Chesapeake, and, in proportion, fully
equal to the sanguinary conflicts between Suffren and Hughes in the
East Indies. The Dutch loss is reported as 142 killed, 403 wounded.
Both sides aimed at the hull, as is shown by the injuries; for
though much harm was done aloft, few spars were wholly shot away. The
_Buffalo_, a small ship, had 39 shot through and through her, and a
very great number pierced between wind and water; in the British van
ship as many as 14, another proof that the Dutch fired low.

With the rudimentary notions of manoeuvring evinced, it is not
surprising that Parker was found an unsatisfactory second by an
enlightened tactician like Rodney. The Vice-Admiral, however, laid his
unsuccess to the indifferent quality of his ships. George III visited
the squadron after the action, but Parker was not open to compliments.
"I wish your Majesty better ships and younger officers," he said. "For
myself, I am now too old for service." No rewards were given, and it
is asserted that Parker made no secret that none would be accepted,
if offered, at the hands of the then Admiralty. He voiced the protest
of the Navy and of the nation against the mal-administration of the
peace days, which had left the country unprepared for war. The gallant
veteran was ordered soon afterwards to command in the East Indies. He
sailed for his station in the _Cato_, which was never heard of again.

Though