The action nevertheless obtained great celebrity in England from the public indignation at its lack of result, and from the storm of naval and political controversy which followed.

The admiral and the officer third in command belonged to different political parties; they made charges, one against the other, and in the following courts-martial all England divided, chiefly on party lines.

Public and naval sentiment generally favored the commander-in-chief, Keppel.
[Illustration: Pl.IX.KEPPEL OFF USHANT JULY 27, 1778.] Tactically, the battle presents some interesting features, and involves one issue which is still living to-day.

Keppel was to leeward and wished to force an action; in order to do this he signalled a general chase to windward, so that his fastest ships might overtake the slower ones of the enemy.

Granting equal original fleet-speed, this was quite correct.