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Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
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British Captain Keats reconnoiters Brest harbor from HMS Boadicea, reporting 47 French ships of the line and 15 frigates ready for sea, contradicting mutiny rumors, amid their inactivity during British refitting.
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A letter from on board the Boadicea of 38 guns, dated off Brest, on Monday last, the 2d instant, relates that Capt. Keats had just run into Brest water, to nearly within gunshot of the batteries, by which means he was enabled to count forty-seven sail of the line, and fifteen frigates, with sails bent, and to all appearance in every respect ready for sea. Other vessels were in a state of preparation, and one ship seemed ready except her foremast, which had been taken out, but which could be replaced and rigged in a few hours.
The appearance of the combined fleet by no means accords with the recent accounts of mutiny and extensive desertion; though to these causes alone can we rationally attribute their long continuance in port, when the necessity of our refitting left our trade and territory to their separate jurisdictions. We congratulate the country upon their inactivity, whatever was the cause; and have now only to wish that they will give our fleet the meeting.
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Brest
Event Date
Monday Last, The 2d Instant
Key Persons
Outcome
forty-seven sail of the line and fifteen frigates ready for sea; other vessels in preparation; fleet inactivity noted despite readiness
Event Details
A letter from on board the Boadicea of 38 guns, dated off Brest, relates that Capt. Keats had run into Brest water to nearly within gunshot of the batteries, counting forty-seven sail of the line and fifteen frigates with sails bent and ready for sea. Other vessels were preparing, one ready except her foremast which could be replaced quickly. The fleet's appearance contradicts reports of mutiny and desertion, attributed to their prolonged stay in port while British refitting left trade and territory exposed. The inactivity is congratulated upon, with hopes for a fleet meeting.