. The Royal Navy . e French to action ifthey came out. In instituting his system, Hawkeshowed his original mind, his object being to controlthe enemy at the entrance of his own port, insteadof allowing him to issue forth with the possibility ofattaining his object, or of having to be brought toaction in the North Sea or the Channel. Hawkehad been battling with the elements for three daysin November, and, on the 16th, he learned that aFrench fleet had been seen on the previous dayseventy-five miles north-west of Belleisle. This wasa force, under Bompart, returning from the WestIndies ; and abou
. The Royal Navy . e French to action ifthey came out. In instituting his system, Hawkeshowed his original mind, his object being to controlthe enemy at the entrance of his own port, insteadof allowing him to issue forth with the possibility ofattaining his object, or of having to be brought toaction in the North Sea or the Channel. Hawkehad been battling with the elements for three daysin November, and, on the 16th, he learned that aFrench fleet had been seen on the previous dayseventy-five miles north-west of Belleisle. This wasa force, under Bompart, returning from the WestIndies ; and about the same time Conflans had sailedfrom Brest, just when Hawke was able to get out ofTorbay. The British admiral then came to theconclusion that the enemy were bound for therefore made all sail, and, on the 20th Novem-ber, one of his frigates far ahead signalled the presenceof the French fleet. Conflans was evidently attempt-ing to reach the bay without fighting, and Hawke THE BATTLE OF QUIBERON BAY1759. THE EARLY GEORGIAN NAVY 131 therefore signalled to his seven headmost ships tochase and form a line of battle ahead of him,endeavouring to delay the French till the rest ofthe squadron should come up. The British shipscarried every stitch of canvas which they couldbear; and at length the Dorsetshire, which wasleading, opened fire. Conflans, meanwhile, was making every effort toround the formidable rocks which are the break-water to Quiberon Bay; and neither Hawke norhis captains had anything to rely upon but themost imperfect surveys in this perilous knew, however, that the occasion was one ofsupreme importance, and was not to be deterredfrom his purpose of destrojdng the French was warned by the saiUng master of his flagshipof the dangers ahead, to whom he said, You havedone your duty in warning me ; now lay us along-side the French commander-in-chief. The Nov-ember day was drawing to an end ; but in the fadingday, and in the peril of the fri
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