Chapter IV

WAR BEGINS BETWEEN FRANCE AND GREAT BRITAIN. BRITISH EVACUATE PHILADELPHIA. NAVAL OPERATIONS OF D'ESTAING AND HOWE ABOUT NEW YORK, NARRAGANSETT BAY, AND BOSTON. COMPLETE SUCCESS OF LORD HOWE. AMERICAN DISAPPOINTMENT IN D'ESTAING. LORD HOWE RETURNS TO ENGLAND

1778

France recognizes the Independence of the United States, and makes
with them a defensive Alliance 58

A French Fleet sails for America under Comte d'Estaing 59

Unprepared condition of the British Navy 59

Admiral Byron sails with a Reinforcement for America 59

Ill effect of Naval Unreadiness upon British Commerce; and
especially on the West Indies 60

Admiral Keppel puts to Sea with the British Channel Fleet 61

First Guns of the War with France 62

Extreme Length of Byron's Passage 62

He turns back to Halifax 62

D'Estaing's slowness allows Howe to escape from Delaware Bay.
Howe's Celerity 62

Evacuation of Philadelphia by British Army, and its precipitate
Retreat to New York 63

Escape of both Army and Fleet due to d'Estaing's Delays 63

Rapid Action of Lord Howe 64

D'Estaing Arrives off New York 64

Howe's elaborate Dispositions for the Defence of New York Bay
65

Statement of British and French Naval Force 66

D'Estaing decides not to attempt Passage of the Bar, and puts to
Sea 67

Anchors off Narragansett Bay 69

Forces the Entrance to Newport and Anchors inside the Bay 70

The British garrison besieged by superior American and French
forces 70

Howe appears with his Fleet and anchors off the entrance, at Point
Judith 71

Sustained Rapidity of his action at New York 71

D'Estaing Withdraws from Siege of Newport and puts to Sea 73

Manoeuvres of the two Opponents 74

D'Estaing quits the Field, and both Fleets are scattered by a
heavy Gale 75

Howe returns to New York and collects his Fleet 76

D'Estaing calls oft Newport; but abandons the Siege finally,
taking his Fleet to Boston 77

Critical Condition of British garrison in Newport. D'Estaing's
withdrawal compels Americans to raise the siege 77

Howe follows d'Estaing to Boston 77

Discussion of the Conduct of the opposing Admirals 78

Howe gives up his Command and returns to England 80

CHAPTER V

THE NAVAL WAR IN EUROPE. THE BATTLE OF USHANT

1778

Admirals Keppel and D'Orvilliers put to Sea from Portsmouth and
Brest 82

Instructions given to the French Admiral 83

Preliminary Manoeuvres after the two Fleets had sighted one
another 83

The Battle of Ushant 84

A Drawn Battle. The respective Losses 91

The Significance of the Battle in the fighting Development of the
British Navy 93

The "Order of Battle" 93

The Disputes and Courts Martial in Great Britain arising from the
Battle of Ushant 94

Keppel Resigns his Command 97