A True and Impartial Account OF A Great and Bloody Fight Between part of the ENGLISH FLEET, Commanded by Sir Clovesly Shovel, AND THE FRENCH at SEA. With an Account of the Men Killed and Wounded. Together with the great Bravery and Courage of Captain Hoskins.
From on Board their Majesties Ship the Crown, this Ninth of December, 1690. Riding Plimouth-Sound. Licensed according to Order.
AS I promised at parting to acquaint you of any thing of moment betwixt the French and Vs that might be: Take this from me as a Real Account being an Eye witness.
Last Sunday Morning being the Seventh, by Break of Day, being Crusing with Sir Clovesly Shovell in his Squadron, about Twenty Leagues South-West of the Lizard: In all of us Five Sail of Men of War and one Fireship, whose Names are the Monk, Rear-Admiral, the York, Crown, Debtford, Dover, who all Espying a French Man of War in a League off us, we all Bo [...]e after her, which the French seeing, made the best of his Heels; but the Crown Sailing best, we got on Her, and about Twelve got up with Her, and had a Bloody Fight for the time of half an hour, till at last we Clapt her on Board, carried her Main-Mast, and so made our selves Masters of her: The Number of what Men the French [Page] had Killed is uncertain, some say 40, some 50; we lost but one Man▪ besides several wounded: We brought Her in last Night. The French are yet on Board us; a great many of them wounded: She is a Rich Prize, and hath in some Measure requited the Couragious Seamen for their Valour: Her Name is the Slut, 28 Guns 10 Patereroes; we asking the Prisoners what made them Fight at so great disadvantage, they say, the French K [...] will Hang up every Captain that doth not Fight, though with a [...] The French Captain is Killed, the Lieutenant dangerously wounded in the Thigh, and almost all the Officers.
And now I cannot but acquaint you of the Gallant Behaviour of Captain Hoskins Incouraging his Men, every Officer particular to their Charge, he exposing himself to the greatest Dangers: A great Sh [...] coming close to Him, almost Mortally Wounded another. But to [...] short, both Officers and Seamen Behaved themselves truly Couragio [...] to the Honour of our Nation: I have not time to write any more particulars; but do desire you to take a Copy of this as soon as you [...] Read it. You may Assure your self, this is the first come to you, and [...] Truth. My Service to your good Lady.