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QUEEN CHARLOTTE (104) 1st rate Built in 1790, Chatham DY.
Blown up by accident off Leghorn in 1800.

  • Queen Charlotte at sea, June 2 1794, Ushant E. half N. 140 leagues.
  • SIR.
  • Thinking it may not be necessary to make a more particular report of my proceedings with the fleet, for the present information of the lords commissioner of the admiralty, I confine my communications chiefly to the the occurrences when in presence of the enemy yesterday.
  • Finding on my return off Brest on the 19th. past, that the French fleet had, a few days before, put to sea; and receiving, on the same evening, advices from rear Adm. Montagu, I deemed it requisite to endeavour to form a junction with the rear admiral as soon as possible, and proceeded for the station on which he meant to wait for the return of the Venus.
  • But having gained very credible intelligence on the 2nd of the same month, by which I had reason to suppose the French fleet was the but a few leagues farther to the westward, the course before steered, was altered accordingly.
  • On the morning of the 28th. the enemy were discovered far to windward, and partial actions took place with them on that evening and the next day.
  • The weather gage having been obtained, in the progress of the last mentioned day, and the fleet being in a formation for bringing the enemy to close action on the 1st. instant, the ships bore up together for that purpose between seven and eight o'clock in the morning.
  • The French, their force consisting of 26 ships of the line, opposed to his majesty's fleet of 25 (the Audacious having parted company with the sternmost ship of the enemy line, captured in the night of the 28th.) waited for the action, and sustained the attack with their customary resolution.
  • In less than an hour after the close action commenced in the centre, the French admiral, engaged by the Queen Charlotte, crowded off, and was followed by most of the ships in his van in condition to carry sail after him, leaving with us about ten or twelve of his crippled or totally dismasted ships, exclusive of one sunk in the engagement. The Queen Charlotte had lost her fore-top-mast, and the main-top-mast fell over the side very soon after.
  • The greater number of the other ships of the British fleet were at this time so much disabled or widely separated, and under such circumstances with respect to those ships of the enemy in a state for action, and with which the firing was still continued, that two or three, even of their dismantled ships, attempted to get away under a sprit-sail singly, or a smaller sail raised on the stump of the fore-mast, could not be detained.
  • Several remained in our possession, one of which, however, sunk before the adequate assistance could be given to her crew; but many were saved.
  • The Brunswick, having lost her mizzen-mast in the action, and drifted to leeward of the French retreating ships, was obliged to put away large to the northward from them. Not seeing her chased by the enemy, in that predicament, I flatter myself she may arrive safely at Plymouth. All the other 24 ships in his majesty's fleet assembled later in the day, and I am preparing to return with them, as soon as the captured ships of the enemy are secured, for Spithead.
  • I am, with great consideration, Sir.
  • Your most obedient servant.
  • HOWE.
  • P. S. The names and force of the captured French ships with the fleet is transmitted herewith.
  • La Juste .......... 80 guns
  • Sans Pareille .... 80 guns
  • L'Amerique ....... 74 guns
  • L'Achille ......... 74 guns
  • Northumberland .... 74 guns
  • L'Impetueux ...... 74 guns
  • Vengeur .......... 74 guns sunk upon taking possession.


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