Nothing was wanted but a meeting less likely to be interrupted, to render the capture of the Gloire a very gallant performance on the part of the Astræa. Nor did the officers and men of the French frigate by any means give away their ship. Much credit is also due to Lord Henry Paulet individually, both for the fairness of his account, and the feeling manner in which he speaks of his antagonist. He expresses sorrow at the Gloire's loss of men, and describes Captain Beens as "an able, humane, and intelligent officer." The first lieutenant of the Astræa, Mr. John Talbot, was sent to take charge of the Gloire, and, soon after his arrival at Portsmouth with the prize, was deservedly made a commander.

The Gloire's two consorts were the Gentille and Fraternité. each of the same force as herself. The Gentille was captured, on the following morning, by the Hannibal ; but the Fraternité effected her escape. The Gloire was purchased for the use of the British navy, and registered as a 12-pounder 36 ; but, being old and nearly worn out, she did not long continue as a cruising ship.

On the 1st of May, at 11 a.m., a fire broke out on board the 98-gun ship Boyne, Captain George Grey, bearing the flag of Vice-admiral Sir John Jervis, as she lay at her anchors at Spithead. The flames had burst through the poop before the fire was discovered ; and they now spread so rapidly that, in less than half an hour, this fine ship, in spite of every exertion of her officers and crew, was in a blaze fore and aft. As soon as the fire was discovered by the fleet, all the boats of the ships proceeded to the Boyne's assistance ; and the whole of her numerous crew, except eleven, were thereby saved. The port-admiral, Sir Peter Parker, went on board the Royal-William, and made the signal for all ships most in danger to get under way ; which order, although both wind and tide were unfavourable, was executed with promptness and judgment, and the ships lying to the eastward of the Boyne, and from the direction of the wind unsafely situated, dropped down to St. Helen's.

The Boyne's guns, being loaded, went off as they became heated, discharging their shot among the shipping; whereby two men were killed and one wounded on board the Queen-Charlotte. Some of the shot even reached the shore in Stoke's bay. At about 1 h. 30 m. p.m. the Boyne broke from her cables, and drifted slowly to the eastward, till she grounded on the Spit, opposite South-Sea castle. Here the ship continued to burn until near 6 p.m. ; when, the flames having reached the magazine, she blew up with a dreadful explosion. " The blowing up of her fore magazine," says Captain Brenton, "offered one of the most magnificent sights that can be conceived. The afternoon was perfectly calm, and the sky clear : the flames which darted from her in a perpendicular column of great height, were terminated by an opaque white cloud like a round