Admiral upon the governor's requisition. Throughout these
critical hours, the combined fleets seem to have been out of sight.
Either intentionally or carelessly, they had got to the eastward and
there remained; having rallied their separated ships, but allowed
Gibraltar to be replenished for a year. On the morning of the 19th
they appeared in the north-east, but the relief was then accomplished
and Howe put out to sea. He was not willing to fight in mid-Straits,
embarrassed by currents and the land; but when outside he
brought-to,--stopped, by backing some of the sails,--to allow the
enemy to attack if they would, they having the weather-gage. On the
following day, the 20th, towards sunset they bore down, and a partial
engagement ensued; but it was wholly indecisive, and next day was not
renewed. The British loss was 68 killed and 208 wounded; that of the
allies 60 killed and 320 wounded. On the 14th of November the fleet
regained Spithead.

The services rendered to his country by Howe on this occasion were
eminently characteristic of the special qualities of that great
officer, in whom was illustrated to the highest degree the solid
strength attainable by a man not brilliant, but most able, who gives
himself heart and soul to professional acquirement. In him, profound
and extensive professional knowledge, which is not inborn but gained,
was joined to great natural staying powers; and the combination
eminently fitted him for the part we have seen him play in Delaware
Bay, at New York, before Rhode Island, in the Channel, and now at
Gibraltar. The utmost of skill, the utmost of patience, the utmost of
persistence, such had Howe; and having these, he was particularly apt
for the defensive operations, upon the conduct of which chiefly must
rest his well-deserved renown.

A true and noble tribute has been paid by a French officer to this
relief of Gibraltar:[135]--

"The qualities displayed by Lord Howe during this short
campaign rose to the full height of the mission which he
had to fulfil. This operation, one of the finest in the
War of American Independence, merits a praise equal to
that of a victory. If the English fleet was favoured by
circumstances,--and it is rare that in such enterprises one
can succeed without the aid of fortune--it was above all the
Commander-in-Chief's quickness of perception, the accuracy of
his judgment, and the rapidity of his decisions, that assured