If the latter once got alongside, there was little hope for the British; but it was impossible for the French to evade the primary necessity of undergoing a raking fire, without reply, from the extreme range of their enemies' cannon up to the moment of closing.

The stake, however, was great, and the apparent odds stirred to the bottom the fighting blood of the British seamen.

The ships of war being short-handed, Howe called for volunteers from the transports.

Such numbers came forward that the agents of the vessels scarcely could keep a watch on board; and many whose names were not on the lists concealed themselves in the boats which carried their companions to the fighting ships.

The masters and mates of merchantmen in the harbour in like manner offered their services, taking their stations at the guns.