Admiral Rodney had taken St.Eustache, the centre of an immense trade; he had pillaged the warehouses and laden his vessels with an enormous mass of merchandise; the convoy which was conveying a part of the spoil to England was captured by Admiral La Motte-Piquet; M.Bouille surprised the English garrison remaining at St.Eustache and recovered possession of the island, which was restored to the Dutch.

They had just maintained gloriously, at Dogger Bank, their old maritime renown.

"Officers and men all fought like lions," said Admiral Zouttman.

The firing had not commenced until the two fleets were within pistol-shot.

The ships on both sides were dismasted, scarcely in a condition to keep afloat; the glory and the losses were equal; but the English admiral, Hyde Parker, was irritated and displeased.