left at liberty to proceed, M. Richery, on the 8th of December, got under way with five of the best conditioned of his line-of-battle ships and his three frigates ; and, on the morning of the 11th passing barely in sight of Sir John Colpoys's fleet, and chasing away his frigates stationed off the mouth of the harbour, the French admiral anchored in Brest.

Two only of M. Richery's five ships, the Pégase (late Barras) and Révolution, were in a state soon to put to sea again : and these were ordered to be refitted, and have their troops (600 each) and stores embarked within 24 hours, it being the determination of General Hoche not to wait any longer for the arrival of M. Villeneuve.

The chief point of debarkation was to be Bantry bay; in which three different anchorages were chosen, to be used according to the state of the weather. If the wind blew from the eastward, which was out of the bay, the fleet was to anchor in Bear haven, situated between Great-Bear island and the main. If the wind blew from the westward, the fleet was to descend the bay to its bottom, and anchor, one division between the eastern extent of Whiddy island and the main, and the other directly athwart the entrance of Glengary harbour. If, in addition to a favourable wind, the weather should be moderate, the whole fleet was to anchor at the entrance of the river Cumbola. Should any unforeseen circumstances prevent the fleet from entering Bantry bay, it was to proceed to the mouth of the river Shannon, and there effect the debarkation. Every captain in the fleet was provided with a large chart of the intended scene of operations, on which the different anchorages, as well in Bantry bay as at the mouth of the Shannon, were clearly marked out. In short, every precaution had been taken, by the able officer who then presided over the French marine, to prevent any failure in the naval part of the expedition.

On the 15th of December, the day on which the Pégase and Révolution were to have been ready, the fleet got under way from the road of Brest, and anchored in front of the goulet, between Camaret and Bertheaume bays. Here Vice-admiral Morard-de-Galles awaited the arrival of two ships; and, while he is doing so, we will give a description of the whole of the force placed under his command. It consisted of the:

^ back to top ^