from the Channel fleet, with the
_Mars_ and _Spartiate_ under his orders, to intercept or blockade a
Dutch squadron, which had put into the neutral port of Ferrol, on their
passage to India. The enemy had proceeded on their voyage the day before
he arrived, and he followed under a press of sail as far as Madeira.
They were the ships which he afterwards destroyed at Griessee. In his
absence, a French squadron of five sail of the line arrived at Corunna
from St. Domingo, and took advantage of the first westerly gale to cross
the bay to Ferrol. Here they were blockaded by Sir Edward, whose force
was soon increased to six, and afterwards to eight sail of the line.

On the 2nd of September, during a strong easterly gale, with thick
weather, two other French ships from St. Domingo, the _Duguay Tronin_
74, and _Guerriere_ frigate, were chased by Sir Robert Calder, who was
coming out to relieve the Commodore. The _Culloden_ had a running fight
with the enemy for two hours and a half, but could not prevent them from
getting into Corunna. In autumn, the _Tonnant_ having been refitted at
Plymouth, Sir Edward resumed the command, and maintained a very close
blockade, at considerable risk, by night and day. He constantly expected
a French force from Brest, and often remarked to his officers, that
they would have to fight both squadrons at once. Under such
circumstances, every precaution was required, and though unwilling to
interfere with the men's rest, yet, to prevent surprise, he thought it
necessary to keep them at quarters all night, and pipe down the hammocks
in the morning.

As the season advanced, the weather became so tempestuous that the
squadron was often driven off the land for many days together, and only
occasionally fetched near Ferrol. Sir Edward became anxious therefore to
find an anchorage in the neighbourhood, where the fleet could ride out a
gale, and obtain necessary supplies. He first examined a bay near Cape
Ortugal, but this was too distant. He then went in a cutter into the Bay
of Bentancos, between Ferrol and Corunna, on the eastern side of which,
in a bay called Ares, he considered, contrary to the opinion of the
celebrated Spanish hydrographer Tofino, that the anchorage was safe, and
the ground good. The correctness of his judgment was proved by the
number of heavy gales which the squadron rode out through the winter.
The place much resembles Cawsand Bay, and a windmill stood on the
adjacent height, from