It was another case of a general chase ending in a _melee_, but under conditions of exceptional interest and grandeur from the surrounding circumstances of the gale of wind, the heavy sea, the lee shore, the headlong speed, shortened canvas, and the great number of ships engaged.

One French seventy-four, closely pressed and outnumbered, ventured to open her lower-deck ports; the sea sweeping in carried her down with all on board but twenty men.

Another was sunk by the fire of Hawke's flag-ship.

Two others, one of which carried a commodore's pennant, struck their colors.

The remainder were dispersed.