He looked after it, laughed, and exclaimed,-- "Never mind, Webley, there it goes for luck! Put the helm up, and make all sail." Captain Foley of the Goliath, being close to the Zealous, perceiving this manoeuvre, guessed what the orders were, and bore up likewise, so that when the two ships had shaped their course, they were nearly abreast of each other.

The Goliath being a little in advance, which of course was rather annoying, Captain Hood stood on for some time, in hopes of being able to take the lead in the Zealous, but finding this could not be without jostling and confusion, he turned round and said-- "This will never do! Well, never mind; Foley is a fine, gallant, worthy fellow.

Shorten sail, and give him time to take up his berth.
We must risk nothing that will tend to the enemy's advantage." This was instantly done! The Goliath shot ahead, and Captain Foley had the glory of leading the British fleet into action.

By some accident, however, he failed to place the Goliath in opposition to the headmost ship of the enemy's line.

The experienced eye of Hood instantly saw the consequences, and while the Goliath passed on to the second in the line, Sir Samuel placed his own ship, the Zealous, alongside the first, exclaiming in the joy of his heart, "Thank God! my friend Foley has left me the van ship!" The indifference to danger and fatigue which was habitual to this great captain cost him, I believe, his life when travelling in the interior of India, near Seringapatam.