The Board directed Sir Edward to return to Falmouth, and proceed without delay to reconnoitre Brest.  During his absence, Sir J.B.  Warren had arrived with his frigates; and a squadron, consisting of the Pomone, Arethusa, Diamond, Galatea, and Concorde, sailed from Falmouth on the 2nd of January, and arrived off Ushant on the following morning.  The Diamond, commanded by Sir Sidney Smith, was sent a-head to reconnoitre, and the squadron followed.  A line-of-battle ship was seen at anchor in Bertheaume Bay on the evening of the 4th.  The Diamond persevered in working up through the night, and at eight next morning was seen returning to the squadron.

Sir Sidney reported that he had completely reconnoitred Brest at daylight, and ascertained that the enemy’s fleet was at sea.  On his return, he was under the necessity of passing very near the French seventy-four, but having disguised his ship with French colours, and a bonnet rouge at her head, he went boldly under the enemy’s stern, and hailed her in French.  She was the ship from L’Orient, Le Caton, which had been obliged to return to port disabled, and her pumps were going as she lay at anchor.  Sir Sidney gave the name of his own ship as La Surveillante; and having offered assistance, which was declined, he took leave, and made sail for the squadron.

The enemy’s fleet, thirty-five sail of the line, thirteen frigates, and sixteen smaller vessels, had put to sea towards the end of December.  Some of them were driven back by a gale, but the fleet continued to cruise until the end of January, when they were obliged to return to port, with the loss of five ships.[6]

The squadron, having effected their principal object, arrived off Falmouth, and landed despatches on the 6th.  They afterwards continued their cruise until the 22d, when they returned to port.

Sir Edward now left the Arethusa, and joined the Indefatigable, one of three 64-gun ships which had lately been cut down to heavy frigates.  One part of the plan was to reduce their masts and rigging in proportion to the diminished size of their hulls.  All of them proved slow and unmanageable ships; and Sir Edward, who had satisfied himself of the cause of the failure, applied to the Navy Board for permission to alter the Indefatigable.  The Comptroller of the Navy was much offended at the request, denying that the plan of the Navy Board had failed; and when Sir Edward alluded to the notorious inefficiency of the ships, he said that it arose entirely from faulty stowage of the ballast and hold.  They parted, mutually dissatisfied; and Sir Edward appealed immediately to Lord Spencer, who, a short time before, had been placed at the head of the Admiralty.  This nobleman showed every desire to meet Sir Edward’s wishes, but expressed very great reluctance to involve himself in a difference with the Navy Board; and requested