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from the numerous enemies, with whom he wasevery where surrounded , and having joined SirJohn Chichely, his rear admiral, who had beenseparated from him, he made haste to the reliefof Sprague , who was hard pressed by Tromp’ssquadron. The Royal Prince , in which Spraguefirst engaged, was so disabled, that he was obligedto hoist his flag on board the St. George ; whileTromp was for a like reason obliged to quit hisship, the Golden Lion , and go on board theComet. The fight was renewed with the utmostfury by these valorous rivals , and by the rearadmirals, their seconds. Ossory, rear admiral toSprague, was preparing to board Tromp, whenhe saw the St. George terribly torn , and in amanner disabled. Sprague was leaving her inorder to hoist his flag on board a third ship, andreturn to the. charge ; when a shot, which hadpassed through the St. George, took his boat,and funk her. The admiral was drowned, tothe great regret of Tromp himself, who bestowedon his valor the deserved praises.

Prince Ruperi found affairs in this dangeroussituation , and saw most of the ships in Sprague’ssquadron disabled from fight. The engagementhowever was renewed , and became very closeand bloody. The prince threw the enemy intodisorder. To increase it , he sent among themtwo fire-ships ; and at the fame time made a signalto the French to bear down ; which if they haddone, a decisive victory must have ensued. Butthe prince, when he saw that they neglected his

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