Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/68

42 enemy; and the wind fortunately shifting, in two days gave them their desire.

The Russian fleet consisted of eighty-nine sail of the line besides frigates, and a fleet of transports which it was supposed might contain about ten thousand soldiers. About eight in the morning the battle begun; the enemy's Admiral, Steinhold, in a ship of 80 guns, and another of 70 bore down on the the Britannia; the King met them, and singly engaged them; at one broadside the Russian Admiral was sunk to the bottom; a dreadful stroke, which threw their fleet into disorder; the other 70 gun-ship sheered off in a few minutes, and the Britannia was left without an enemy. The Marlborough was engaged with two Russian ships, who were too strong for her, but the King pouring a broadside into one of them,