Bellona

26th April 1758 the Bellona went into St. Martin’s Road, near Rochelle, and cut out 14 French merchantmen, two of which, of 100 tons, each laden with wine and brandy, he has brought into Galway. The other twelve the captain hopes have got safely into other ports in Great Britain or Ireland. This action was done at noon within gunshot of seven French men-of-war of the line and four frigates. The captain supposes these to be part of the fleet dispersed by Admiral Hawke.” This refers to an attack made on 4th April by Hawke, with seven ships of the line and three frigates on five French ships of the line, besides six or seven frigates, and about 40 transports with 3,000 troops, destined for America. Several of the latter were driven on shore, and io marines were landed on the Isle d’Aix, who destroyed the works there and safely re-embarked. “Hawke sailed on the 6th, having effectually prevented the dispatch of supplies to America, and, it may be, so facilitated the conquest of Cape Breton and its dependencies.” Rochefort

returned from cruise to  Bristol