Beatson, Robert

A Narrative of the Battle Fought at Sea, July 27, 1778

      Privately Printed, England 1778 - No Publication Date Stated, but most probably issued within a short time of the battle, with no mention of the personal and political storm that resulted involving the actions of both Sir Hugh Palliser and Admiral the Honourable Augustus Keppel during the engagement. A finely produced pamphlet in regards to the First Battle of Ushant. Consists of a seven page Preface, a two-sided fold-out chart of the ships involved in the battle- the English Line of Battle on the front side, with the French Line of Battle on the back, with a full list of the killed and wounded on both sides, and a thirty page narrative of the action that took place. In the Preface, the author stresses the immediate need for the British Admiralty to test and arrive at a more suitable and uniform method of signalling between ships during naval engagements, where he clearly places the blame for the British fleet's failure to close with the French and force a decisive second battle. He also apologizes for this work (the pamphlet) causing the delay of the publication of "the remaining Volumes of the Naval and Military Memoirs. Condition: No covers present. Bound by hand-stitching via two holes two inches apart, centered from top to bottom, and neatly tied. Page edges chipped and tattered, but not near to affecting text. Paper lightly tanned, but very clean and sound, with no sign whatsoever of brittleness. Numerous corner creases. Text remains very clear and easily legible throughout. [Attributes: Soft Cover]