Admiral Rodney, who had proceeded to the West Indies from Gibraltar, found himself opposed to a superior force of the enemy. Confiding in the long-tried valour of a British Fleet, he was determined, however, to dispute the palm with them. Monsieur Guichen, previous to his arrival, had paraded before St. Lucia, seemingly with a view of attempting something; but Rear-Admiral Hyde Parker and General Vaughan had evidently made such judicious dispositions, as deterred him from even a partial trial of force. Sir George Rodney soon returned the visit, and offered battle, which was not accepted. Leaving some coppered frigates to watch their motions, he returned to Gros Islet Bay.
In the night of the 15th of April, De Guichen put to sea, and was quickly followed, when a general chace ensued. At the close of day on the 16th, the English formed into line, and a series of able manœuvring on both sides took place next morning. At eleven the conflict began, which ended after four, when the enemy bore away. The English Fleet, obliged to repair its damages, could not pursue.
Most tremendous was the fire of the Sandwich, Admiral Rodney's ship, upon that day, and so visible were its effects, that it is impossible to calculate what can be achieved by Britons, when their valour is let loose, against any force, however great. Captain Carey, of Marines, was wounded in the Grafton, and Lieut. Herriot, who now so ably conducts a well-known paper entitled The Sun, in the Elizabeth.
Regaining sight of the French Fleet, they run for shelter under the guns of Guadaloupe upon the 20th. The talents of Captain Young, of the Sandwich, were peculiarly displayed upon this occasion, and were most auxiliary to the Commander in Chief. Thus was the Empire of these Seas recovered by an inferior Fleet, which was productive, however, only of a flimsy triumph, as there were no English troops to follow it up by an attack upon their islands. English commerce, however, was protected, while that of the French suffered much. Two other actions of lesser note were fought on the 15th and 19th of May, but equally indecisive.
The spirited countenance of Captain, now Admiral Cornwallis, off Monte Christi, in the Lion, of 64 guns, having under him the Bristol of 50, and Janus of 44, which were opposed by Monsieur La Motte Picquet, reputed one of the best Officers in the French Navy, with four 74 gun-ships and two frigates, must ever be noticed as one of the most brilliant incidents of the American war.
It has been the lot of that brave man, to have saved to his Country, in two instances, a respectable portion of her Naval forces, when apparently doomed to fall and overwhelmed by numbers. With his little squadron he resisted, successfully, this united attack, through the night of the 20th of March, and on the following day maintained the unequal combat nearly three hours. On the 22d the English Ruby, of 64 guns, and two frigates appeared, with which he, in turn, became the pursuer of La Motte Picquet, who, by his own account, and in the true spirit of a Frenchman, asserted his claim to two hearts, as being emblematical of his courage.
Some single actions were fought during 1780, that would have done honour to any period of our maritime greatness.
Amongst these may be noticed the capture of La Capricieuse, of 44 guns, by La Prudente frigate. Captain Waldegrave, now Lord Radsdale. Speaking of the conduct of his Marines on this occasion, he says, "In justice to Lieutenant Banks of the Marines, I must beg leave to observe to their Lordships, that his party behaved with the utmost steadiness and bravery, keeping up a regular and constant fire from the beginning of the action, till necessity called them to the great guns, when they shewed an equal share of spirit and good order."
Another terminated in the taking of La Nymphe by the Flora, Captain Peere Williams, which was manned principally by landsmen, and a raw party of Marines. Soon after the conflict began, the Flora's wheel was shot away, when both ships fell on board each other. This afforded some instances of individual gallantry, by repelling the enemy's boarders, and by the British returning the compliment, and eventually striking the flag of La Nymphe. Although complete adepts in the small sword, still it proved unavailing against the cutlass and the axe.
Lieutenant, now Captain Busigny of Marines, very much distinguished himself, and his sword bore marks of his valour.