News from the FLEET, Being a Full and Impartial ACCOUNT, OF A
Most Signal Victory, Obtained by Admiral Killegrew, OVER THE
French Thoulon Fleet.
Commanded by Monsieur Chasten Regnaut.
In a Letter to a Person of Quality.
Printed, According to Order.
GOOD News, at all Times, I know is very acceptable to You from Credible Strangers; and if so, doubtless much more grateful from a Friend; and such a Friend too, that would neither Deceive You, nor the Publick, for the highest Temporal Advantage: I know the Dignity of Truth is lost by many Asseverations; I shall therefore say little more than this, (seeing you throughly know me,) That the following Account of the late Sea-Fight with the French Thoulon Fleet, I here send you, is nothing but what I my self was both an Eye and Ear-Witness to the Truth of; and you shall (God willing) have a farther Account of it, in my next Letter: But for the present, take what follows:
[Page] We having receiv'd an Express that advised us of the Departure of the French Squadron out of Thoulon, under the Command of Monsieur Chasten Regnaut, which consisted of four First Rates, and Five Second Rate Men of War, and two Fire-ships; who said, the Wind being contrary, they were forced to come to an Anchor in Gibralter, within four Miles of Ceuta, not being able to get out of the Narrow of the Straits: Upon which the Vice-Admirals Killigrew and Allemond, with Rear-Admiral Evertson, weighed Anchor, with Ten English and Dutch Men of War, and two Fire-ships to join the other Six Men of War that lay at Gibralter perdue for them, and so attack them: They having a fair Wind, happily came up with the Six Men of War aforesaid, just as they got sight of the French Eleet: The French steered away at the sight of our Fleet, as fast as could be; but perceiving our Fleet was resolved to pursue and fight them, they at last made up to us with a seeming Gallantry; upon which, Admiral Killigrew gave the Signal of Battel, and followed it himself with an undaunted Courage and Resolution: And after a long and sharp dispute on both Sides, we took Three French Men of War, which we have sent up to Gibralter: We have also sunk two of their best Ships, and are still in pursuit of the rest: Admiral Killegrew was Engaged, in this great Action in the Duke, against Monsieur Chasten Regnaut, four Hours or more.
Sir, I hope to give you a farther Account of the remaining shattered French Fleet, in a short time, our Fleet being well Manned, Admiral Killegrew having got on Board the Fleet Six Hundred Volunteer Sea-men, out of the Merchant-Men in Cales Road. This in haste is all at present, from
There is lately publish'd, A New Discovery of the Horrid Association and Conspiracy of the Papists in Lancashire, to raise War and Rebellion in the Kingdom of England, during the Absence of King William in Ireland. In a Letter of Instructions from a Roman Catholick of great Quality, in London, to a Papist Mutineer in Lancashire. Printed for Jonathan Greenwood.
Lond. Printed for J. Dunton, at the Black Raven, in the Poultrey. 1690.