Page:The Annual Register 1758.djvu/108

94 annually been taken in; one third of whom, nearly, have died at nurSe. A matter that merits a parliamentary enquiry.

Ladders and gates were affixed to East-Sheen gate in Surry, in order for foot people to go into Richmond Park; and also at Ham-gate (pursuant to a verdict last assizes at Kingston); so that her Royal Highness the Princess Amelia has at length given up this long contested affair for the ease and convenience of the inhabitants.

Admiralty Office. In pursuance of the King's pleasure, Lord Anson, Vice-Admiral of Great Britain, and Admiral of the White, was appointed commander in chief of a fleet, now fitting for the sea.—Advice is received from Read-Admiral Broderick, that on the 13th of last month, his majesty's ship Prince George of 80 guns, in which the Rear-Admiral hoisted his flag, took fire at half an hour after one in the afternoon, in lat. 48: and after burning to the water's edge, the remnant of her sank at a little before six in the evening. The Admiral says, he could not then give a particular account of the people on board, being about 780; but he feared the number lost exceeded the number saved.

His majesty's ship Windsor, of 60 guns, Captain Faulkner, with the Escorte frigate, being sent to intercept two French frigates and three store-ships from Dunkirk road to the westward, on the 27th past fell in with them about 16 leagues from the Ram-head, when the two frigates brought to in a line, as if they intended to receive him, and the store fhips continued standing to the weftward. When the Windsor came within about two gun shot of the frigates, they made all the sail they could towards the coast of France; upon which Captain Faulkner sent the Escorte after the store-ships, while he gave chace to the frigates, and continued it till four in the afternoon; when finding they greatly outsailed him he gave it over, and made after their convoy, which could then but just be discerned from the poop. The next morning at day-light only one of them was to be seen, which the Windsor came up with and took. She is called the St. Peter, of near 400 tons burthen, and her cargo consisted of provisions, and 1000 stand of arms, intended for Quebec. Another of these store-ships was fallen in with, the same day, by a squadron of his Majesty's ships to the westward, commanded by Captain Douglas in the Alcide. She is called the Baden, is about the same size with the other, and laden with provisions.

On the 29th, about three o'clock in the afternoon, Captain Pratten seeing a sail to the S. W. made a signal for the Dorsetshire of 70 guns and 520 men, commanded by Captain Denis, to give chace; and soon after observing the chace to be a large ship, dispatched the Achilies of 60 guns, commanded by the honourable Captain Barrington, after her, and then followed them with the rest of the squadron. About feven o'clock the Dorsetshire came up with the chace, which proved to be the Raisonable, a French ship of war of 64 guns, and 630 men, and Captain Denis began to engage her very closely, and they continued warmly engaged till about nine o'clock, when the enemy's ship, commanded by the Prince de Mombazon, Chevalier de