unfruitful in substantial results, Parker's action merits
commemoration; for, after all, even where skill does its utmost,
staunchness such as his shows the sound constitution of a military
body.

[Footnote 103: Beatson, "Military and Naval Memoirs," v. 347.]

[Footnote 104: Sir John Ross, in his "Life of Saumarez," who was
lieutenant in the flagship, says that the flagship only passed ahead
of the _Buffalo_, and that the rear ships closed upon the latter.
The version in the text rests upon the detailed and circumstantial
statements of another lieutenant of the squadron, in Ekins's "Naval
Battles." As Ekins also was present as a midshipman, this gives, as it
were, the confirmation of two witnesses.]

CHAPTER XII

THE FINAL NAVAL CAMPAIGN IN THE WEST INDIES. HOOD AND DE GRASSE.
RODNEY AND DE GRASSE. THE GREAT BATTLE OF APRIL 12, 1782

The year 1781 closed with an incident more decisive in character than
most of the events that occurred in European waters during its course;
one also which transfers the interest, by natural transition, again to
the West Indies. The French government had felt throughout the summer
the necessity of sending de Grasse reinforcements both of ships and of
supplies, but the transports and material of war needed could not be
collected before December. As the British probably would attempt to
intercept a convoy upon which the next campaign so much depended,
Rear-Admiral de Guichen was ordered to accompany it clear of the Bay
of Biscay, with twelve ships of the line, and then to go to Cadiz.
Five ships of the line destined to de Grasse, and two going to the
East Indies, raised to nineteen the total force with which de Guichen
left Brest on the 10th of December. On the afternoon of the 12th, the
French being then one hundred and fifty miles to the southward and
westward of Ushant, with a south-east wind, the weather, which had
been thick and squally, suddenly cleared and showed sails to windward.
These were twelve ships of the line, one 50, and some frigates, under
Rear-Admiral Richard Kempenfelt, who had left England on the 2d of the
month, to cruise in wait for this expedition. The French numbers were
amply sufficient to frustrate any attack, but de Guichen, ordinarily
a careful officer, had allowed his ships of war to be to leeward and
ahead of the convoy. The latter scattered in every direction, as the
British swooped down upon them, but all could not escape; and the
French ships of