BREAKING THE FRENCH LINE, 12TH APRIL, 1782.

Turning over a bundle of papers lately, I met with a note of mine to Admiral Sir Joseph Yorke, and his reply, respecting the battle of the 12th April, 1782. I wrote to my Brother, Lieut. Alfred Sainthill, R.N. for his recollection of my Father's account of the action, which agrees with my note to Sir J. Yorke.

70, Borough, 5th February, 1830. SIR,-On calling this morning at the time ( past 9) which your servant mentioned as most convenient to see you, I received your memorandum requesting me to write. The cause of my calling on you was that, being here, as executor of my late Father, I saw an article in the last Quarterly on a controversy (which I have not seen) respecting who was entitled to the merit of breaking the French line on the 12th April-Sir Charles Douglas or Sir G. Rodney;—and the writer in the Quarterly makes some observations on a statement I apprehend you have given respecting the merit resting with Sir Charles. My late Father (as you are aware) was a Lieutenant in the Duke, and, in speaking of the action, he always ascribed the idea of breaking the line to have been Sir Charles's, and carried into operation against Sir George Rodney's opinion. My Father of course could only know this from the report of others in the flag-ship, and it directly meets the position of the Quarterly that, if this had been the case, it must have been known in the fleet. Rev. Mr. Haggett, who was chaplain of the Duke, is now chaplain of Chelsea Hospital: and I heard the other day that Captain Baker, who was a Lieutenant also in the Duke, is also living somewhere near Chelsea. This was the reason of my calling on you. My Brother Alfred, to whom, as a naval officer, my Father may have been more technically explicit than to me, or who perhaps may more clearly understand the particulars, is in town, but my engagements have prevented my seeing him for any time.

I shall be in town again on Monday for a few days before I leave London, and if you wish to see me I will wait upon you.

I have the honour to remain, Sir,

Your very obedient Servant,

Admiral Sir Jos. S. Yorke, K.C.B.

&c. &c. &c.

RICHD. SAINTHILL.

14, New Burlington Street, Feb. 6th, 1830.

Sir Joseph Yorke presents his compliments to Mr. Sainthill, and feels extremely annoyed that his politeness and attention were so ill requited, by Sir J. Y. requesting a written statement of why he called; but in fact it was to save Mr. S. further trouble, fearing that he (Sir J. Y.) might be out.

It occurs, however, to Sir J. Y. that Mr. S. may like to understand how this matter of the Quarterly Review stands so far as regards him-Sir J. Y.

Some time back Sir H. Douglas called on him, and, knowing the obligation and kindness to which in early life Sir J. Y. was indebted to his father, asked if Sir J. Y. could give him any information on the subject of the old controversy, of line-breaking on the 12th April, 1782, as he (Sir H. D.) had determined upon a new edition of his work on naval gunnery, and wished to insert a memoir thereon, as Clark of Eldin's relations and descendants had claimed the merit of that manœuvre. Sir J. Y. advised that he would do no such thing, that it would only rip up old grievances, and set them by the ears who recollected the circumstance of 50 years ago. However, as he was determined, Sir J. Y. said that he had a copy of all letters, notes, and memoranda that he had sent to his mother at that period, copied in books or volumes of her hand-writing, and he should have a copy of those data, which he might make use of if it suited him; but as to writing a letter thereon, or taking any further share in the transaction, Sir J. Y. begged to decline it.

Sir J. Yorke therefore takes no interest in the case whatever. The Reviewers may do with his name as they please, for Sir J. Y. will give himself no further concern thereon.

Mr. R. Sainthill.

NARRATIVE OF THE BATTLE OF THE 12TH OF APRIL, 1782, as RELATED BY MY FATHER, CAPTAIN RICHARD SAINTHILL, THEN LIEUTENANT OF THE DUKE.

In the morning at daybreak the enemy was seen to windward, and without much chance of engaging; but shortly after the wind shifted some points, which enabled our fleet to fetch the leeward and sternmost ships of the enemy's line, and it was soon evident that the French Admiral would fight rather than abandon these ships, which were in some measure disabled. The action became general between eight and nine o'clock; and some time after, as the fleets were passing each other slowly, the wind again shifted to the eastward, which caused the English ships to approach very close to the French line. At this time Sir George Rodney and Sir Charles Douglas were walking the quarter deck of the Formidable, and the Admiral observed to Sir Charles, "We are too close ;" and, turning to the quartermaster, said, "Starboard!" As the man was about to obey, Sir Charles turned round, and, lifting up his right arm in an autho- . ritative manner, called out, "No, no: I say, Port, port!" The helm was put a-port, and the ship shot in between two of the Frenchmen, raking with both broadsides, and, passing to windward, was followed by almost the whole centre division. As soon as they were fairly to windward, Sir Charles turned round to the admiral and said, "Sir George, I congratulate you: none of these ships," pointing to the best half of the enemy then to leeward, "none of these ships ever see France again." The Duke, which ship was the admiral's second a-head, seeing the Formidable had broke the line, pushed through also, and a French eighty-gun ship bore up to avoid running foul of her, and received the Duke's broadside twice into her stern, which totally disabled her, and she was the first ship that struck on that day. We had almost fired into the Formidable as we came through to windward, for our men, seeing the fly of her white ensign, mistook it for the French colours. From this time the enemy were in utter confusion, but still fought bravely. Had they been pushed hard that night, at least twenty ships must have been taken; and this was told Sir G. Rodney the following day on his own quarter-deck

by Sir Samuel Hood. It was, however, the first time in modern warfare that two large fleets came to an undisputed decision. ALFRED SAINTHILL.

Oct. 10th, 1848.

P.S. I remember my father stated that, when their captain, afterwards Lord Gardner, returned from paying his compliments to Sir G. Rodney, he reported that Sir Samuel Hood was very dissatisfied, and had said to the admiral, "I congratulate you, Sir George, on what has happened, but much more might and much more ought to have been done."

PEDIGREE OF THE FAMILY OF READ, LATE OF

HITCHIN, CO. OF HERTS.

ARMORIAL BEARINGS:

Quarterly, first and fourth, Gules, on a bend wavy or three Cornish choughs proper, within a bordure engrailed or, charged with eight torteauxes.-Read. Second and third, Gules, a chevron compony argent and azure, between three garbs or.-Barron.

CREST: A buck's head erased sable, attired or, between two palm branches vert, charged on the neck with two bars gemelles or.

MOTTO: LABOR IPSE VOLUPTAS.

INSCRIPTION ON A TOMB IN STEVENAGE CHURCHYARD, HERTS.

Sacred to the memory of Miss MARY READ (eldest child and last surviving representative of Mr. John Barron Read, formerly of Stonham Aspall, in the county of Suffolk), who departed this life 14 May, 1847, in the 81st year of her age; affectionately endeared to her relatives and friends by the active goodness of her heart and the superior excellence of her understanding.

R. S.