John Bentham-Dinsdale (1927-2008)

The battle fought on 1st June 1794 was the first fleet action of the French Revolutionary Wars. Admiral Lord Howe, at sea under orders to prevent a large grain convoy reaching France, had spent several weeks searching for it and its escorting warships under Admiral Joyeuse before finally sighting them on 28th May. A running fight lasting three days ensued, with the French having the advantage of heavy weather. Early on 1st June, with the weather much improved and the two fleets about four miles apart, Lord Howe seized the weather gage and attacked. His strategy was not entirely successful but nevertheless, six French ships-of-the-line were taken as prizes and a seventh, Le Vengeur du Peuple, was sunk after a tremendous duel with H.M.S. Brunswick. The French flagship Montagne was severely damaged, suffering 300 men killed and yet, despite these losses, the convoy of merchantmen escaped Howe's clutches whilst the fleets were engaged and managed to reach the French mainland safely.