close in his wake, in obedience to the signal for line ahead, which had been rehoisted at 10.43.[104] A heavy cannonade attended this evolution, the Dutch fighting gloriously to the last.  When it was completed, the British fleet wore and the action ceased.  “I made an effort to form the line, in order to renew the action,” wrote Parker in his report, “but found it impracticable.  The enemy appeared to be in as bad a condition.  Both squadrons lay-to a considerable time near each other, when the Dutch, with their convoy, bore away for the Texel.  We were not in a condition to follow them.”

This was a most satisfactory exhibition of valour, and a most unsatisfactory battle; magnificent, but not war.  The completion of their voyage by the British merchant ships, while the Dutch were obliged to return to the port which they had just left, may be considered to award success, and therefore the essentials of victory, to Parker’s fleet.  With this exception the status quo remained much as before, although one of the Dutch ships sank next day; yet the British loss, 104 killed and 339 wounded, was nearly as great as in Keppel’s action, where thirty ships fought on each side, or in Rodney’s of April 17th, 1780, where the British had twenty sail; greater than with Graves off the Chesapeake, and, in proportion, fully equal to the sanguinary conflicts between Suffren and Hughes in the East Indies.  The Dutch loss is reported as 142 killed, 403 wounded.  Both sides aimed at the hull, as is shown by the injuries; for though much harm was done aloft, few spars were wholly shot away.  The Buffalo, a small ship, had 39 shot through and through her, and a very great number pierced between wind and water; in the British van ship as many as 14, another proof that the Dutch fired low.

With the rudimentary notions of manoeuvring evinced, it is not surprising that Parker was found an unsatisfactory second by an enlightened tactician like Rodney.  The Vice-Admiral, however, laid his unsuccess to the indifferent quality of his ships.  George III visited the squadron after the action, but Parker was not open to compliments.  “I wish your Majesty better ships and younger officers,” he said.  “For myself, I am now too old for service.”  No rewards were given, and it is asserted that Parker made no secret that none would be accepted, if offered, at the hands of the then Admiralty.  He voiced the protest of the Navy and of the nation against the mal-administration of the peace days, which had left the country unprepared for war.  The gallant veteran was ordered soon afterwards to command in the East Indies.  He sailed for his station in the Cato, which was never heard of again.

Though unfruitful in substantial results, Parker’s action merits commemoration; for, after all, even where skill does its utmost, staunchness such as his shows the sound constitution of a military body.

[Footnote 103:  Beatson, “Military and Naval Memoirs,” v. 347.]