Folios 201-202: Richard John Strachan, HMS Melampus, off L'Isle St Marcou. Reports...

Folios 201-202: Richard John Strachan, HMS Melampus, off L'Isle St Marcou. Reports his proceedings since leaving Guernsey on 10 [June 1796] cruising off the Isle de Bass and towards the passage D'Four and Ushant. Mentions HMS Syren, HMS Minerva, HMS Grand Falconer, HMS Camilla, HMS Childers and HMS Diamond. He had received information about a convoy from Brest to St Maloes [Malo] and about the French squadron recently sailed from Havre. Receipt of directions to send HMS Minerva to Spithead as her Commander had reported that her crew was scorbutic. On 20 [June 1796] they saw 4 vessels near Ushant which proved to be the squadron under Sir John Warren. On 21 [June 1796] he directed Captain Peyton to go to Spithead but HMS Diamond shifted her disabled topmast the next day. They cruised on the sation until 27 [June 1796]. With dark nights approaching he thought their presence near Jersey would be required so he ordered Captain Moore to spare provisions from HMS Syren to his ship and to HMS Diamond and to go to Plymouth to complete his provisions for 4 months and return to Guernsey intending him to go to Jersey to assist Captain D'Auvergne. They arrived off Guernsey on 28 [June 1796] meeting HMS Serpent whose Commander told him of an enemy attack expected on St Marcou. He sailed to the islands immediately where he found HMS Camilla and HMS Childers. Captain Dacres said he thought they should remain near the islands as the enemy had a large force drawn off the coast opposite.