Page 174 - INDIANNAVYV1

142 HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
frigate 'Revenge,' of the Boinbciy Marine, which formed one of
his fleet, to look out for the enemy off Ceylon, and, on the 2nd
of (September, she descried fifteen sail standing to the nortli-
east. The 'Revenge' was chased by a French ship-of-the-line,
which fired into her, when the British Admiral, notwithstanding
the great disparity of force, made the signal for a general
chase, but, the wind falling light, he was unable to bring them
to a general action. At seven in the evening. Admiral Pocock
ordered the 'Revenge ' to make sail to the south-east and keep
sight of the enemyif possible, and, according to Grose (Vol. IL, p.
335), she performed this duty well. At daylight the following
morning, the French fleet were about six leagues distant, and
Admiral Pocock threw out the signal for a general chase, but,
the wind again falling light, was unable to bring the enemy to
action, though they formed a line of battle as if desirous of
engaging. It being hazy, the English lost sight of the French
fleet, when Admiral Pocock again had recourse to the services
of the ' Revenge.' She was first sent astern, but, not meeting
the enemy, steered ahead, the fleet following in line of battle,
with their heads to the northward. On the following morning,
the ' Revenge ' signalled four sail to the north-east, on which
Admiral Pocock made the signal for a general chase. At half-past
eleven, the ' Revenge bore away more to the eastward, and was
'
followed by the stpiadron ; but after continuing the chase until
nearly two in the afternoon, and discovering only two ships,
with whom he could not come up, the Admiral made the signal
for the ' Revenge ' to rejoin the squadron. Thence he proceeded
to Pondicherry, off" which he descried, on the 8th of September,
the French fleet to the number of sixteen sail. At four in the
afternoon, we are told, " the French squadron appeared to be
formed in a line of battle abreast, and steered right down upon
the English Admiral, who ordered the 'Revenge' to keep
between the two squadrons, and observe their motions during
the night."
On the 10th of September the long-expected battle took place
between the rival fleets. The French were greatly superior in
the number of ships and men, and in weight of metal. Their
fleet consisted of eleven sail of the line, carrying seven hundred
and twenty-eight guns, and six thousand four hundred men,
with two frigates and a storeship, while the English had only
nine ships of the line, carrying five hundred and thirty-six guns
and four thousand and thirty-five men, besides four frigates,
including the Company's ships ' Revenge' and 'Protector.' A
severe action commenced about two o'clock and lasted for two
hours, seven ships bearing the brunt of the attack of the French
fleet, when the latter retired, the English ships, owing to the
damage they had received in their spars and rigging, being in
no condition to pursue. AVhen night set in, the services of the