CHAPTER V

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THE NAVAL CAMPAIGN OF MAY, 1795, AND BATTLE OF THE FIRST OF JUNE.

Distress in France in 1793 and 1794 122

Food supplies ordered from the United States 123

Ships of war sent to convoy them to France 123

Squadrons of Nielly and Villaret sent to meet the convoy 124

Determination of British government to intercept it 125

Sailing of the Channel Fleet under Lord Howe 125

Howe meets the French fleet under Villaret Joyeuse, May 28 126

## Partial engagement of May 28 127

Manœuvres of May 29 129

## Partial engagement of May 29 130

Lord Howe breaks the French line 131

Villaret loses the advantage of the wind 131

Summary of the results of the two days' engagements 133

Merits of Howe's tactics 135

Strategic mistake by which Montagu's squadron was not on hand 135

Events of May 30 and 31 135

Preparations for battle, June 1 136

Character of Howe's attack 137

Opening of the battle 138

Howe's flag-ship again breaks the French line 139

General success of the first attack 140

The contest between the "Vengeur" and the "Brunswick" 140

Sinking of the "Vengeur" 143

Results of the encounter 144

Villaret's manœuvre to rescue his crippled ships 145

Howe's manœuvre to preserve his prizes 146

Incomplete results of the British victory 147

Physical prostration of Lord Howe 147

Tactical analysis of the action 149

Inferences deduced therefrom 152

Conduct of the French captains 153

Study of the strategic conduct of the two admirals 155

Howe's tactical success neutralized by strategic error 160

Termination of the campaign 161

Safe arrival of the convoy at Brest 161

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