HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.
45
having been fortunate enough to get out before the arrival of Admiral Shovel, andintelligence being received that they had proceeded to the southward, the admiralrepaired to Lisbon with the greater part of his fleet, after ordering back to Eng-land such ships as were deemed superfluous, or whose presence the emergenciesof the state might render necessary nearer home. The junction between theBritish commanders took place without the smallest difficulty; and the collec-tion of the whole force belonging to the enemy was al>o effected with as littleimpediment. The greater part of the French navy was now drawn together at onepoint, while that of the allies, at least such part of their force as they deemed neces-sary to the great occasion, appeared in array to oppose their foes. The event ofthe war appeared to hang on the decision, and the rest of the world might haveconsidered the conduct of Louis as indicative of a determination to put his ownassumed greatness, and the claims of the Duke of Anjou, to the short arbitramentof a genera! and decisive encounter. The operations commenced auspiciously on thepart of Britain: the strong fortress of Gibraltar was attacked and carried by the con-federates almost on the moment of assault; and the event of the battle of Malaga, inwhich the Count de Thou louse received a signal defeat from a part of the combinedfleet *, proved the decided superiority which the actual force of the Allies
Men.
Guns.
Pwipert -
- 440
70
Pvever.ge -
- 440
70
Moderate -
- 365
60
Gloucester —
, 365
60
1
5
365
60
Medway —
365
60
Kingston —
365
60
Assurance —
365
60
Triton -
280
50
Bridgewater.
Roebuck.
Lightening fire-ship.
Vulcan fire-ship.
Vulture fire-ship.
Terror bomb.
William and Mary yacht.
Princess Ann hospital ship.
* Four English ships of the line, and six Dutch, had been accidentally detached on differentservices a few days previous to the action.
VOL. III.
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had