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Lynchburg Star
Lynchburg, Virginia
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Letter from Admiral Coctrans dated July 12 aboard HMS Northumberland off Tortola reports pursuing the French fleet to the west end of Tortola passage. French force: 2 eighty-fours and 4 seventy-fours; British: 3 seventy-fours and 1 fifty-gun. French altered course northward, joined by three more ships; British returned to protect Tortola and convoy from destruction, awaiting reinforcements.
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We have been favored with the following copy of an extract of a letter from Admiral Coctrans, dated July 12th, on board of His Britannic Majesty's ship Northumberland, off Tortola, to Col. Hamilton, received by the brig St. Brides, captain Smith, arrived at the port on Saturday.
"I have just a moment to tell you that we followed the French fleet to the West end of the Tortola passage, they going off before the wind. Their force is 2 eighty fours, and 4 seventy fours, my force 3 seventy fours and 1 fifty gun. Had they kept their course I meant to have come and paid them a visit after dark, but they made sail to the northward, and I saw three more ships join them. I then returned to Tortola, which island with the convoy was to have been destroyed the day I appeared. I hope to be reinforced and yet to see them to good purpose."
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Tortola
Event Date
July 12th
Key Persons
Outcome
no engagement; french fleet altered course northward and was joined by three more ships; british returned to tortola to protect island and convoy from destruction
Event Details
British forces under Admiral Coctrans followed French fleet to west end of Tortola passage. French: 2 eighty fours and 4 seventy fours. British: 3 seventy fours and 1 fifty gun. Planned night attack if course held, but French sailed north, joined by three ships. Returned to Tortola, which with convoy was targeted for destruction on day of appearance. Hopes for reinforcements to engage French.