The Battle of the Glorious First of June in 1794
The Battle of the Glorious First of June in 1794 (also known as the Fourth Battle of Ushant) was a naval conflict between the British and the French during the French Revolutionary Wars. During April and May 1794 the British fleet was searching the Atlantic Ocean for French grain ships bound for France from the USA. The grain was vitally needed to reduce the starving conditions brought about by the French Revolution. The French fleet left Brest in mid-May to escort this vital convoy to harbour. The British had a line of 34 battleships under the command of Admiral Earl Howe and the French had a line of 26 battleships under Rear-Admiral Villaret-Joyeuse. The two forces clashed 400 nautical miles west of the island of the French island of Ushant. The battle began as a series of engagements, beginning with skirmishes and maneuvering on May 28th, 1794, and a more serious brush the following day. The rival fleets maintained distant contact during the two subsequent days of foggy weather. The...