A LETTER From on Board the YORK-FRIGAT Now with Admiral Herbert.  
Dated from Cape-Cleare the Fourth of this instant May. Giving a true and large Account of the great Fight between the English and the French, at Bantry-Bay near Crouck-Haven in the West of Ireland.  
I Having the opportunity, I would not omit giving you a true Narrative of our Fight with the French. The 29th. of April, we being cruising at Kingsale at nine at night, our Scouts made the signal of the Enemy, about 13 Sail; but the night coming on, and we not knowing which way they lay, we kept the Wind all night. On the 30th. in the Morning, our Scouts made the Signal, as before 〈…〉 8 in the morning we bore up Westward; our Scouts chase that way, at three in the afternoon one of our Scouts brought a small Bastabes Vessel into our Fleet, come from Virginia, who gave us an account, That he had been with the French Fleet the night before of the Cape, consisting of 30 Sail small and great. Upon which Advice, we gave chase at 6, and we came in sight of Ten Sail going head of Meinhead, but we doubting the main Body had got into Crouck haven, we brought to, and stood off all the Night. May the 1st. we finding they had not gone in there, we bore away to Loeward of the Meinhead, where we saw some of them at Anchor in the Bantry; at 7 we found them to be 27 Sail of great Ships, and we but 18; the Wind at E. N. E. a moderate Gale. Upon sight of us, they got under Sail; and instead of coming out before the Wind to us, they gave us the trouble to run in a great way to them, which we could not do before 12 at Noon: At which time Captain Ashei leading the Van of our Fleet, came up within Shot; upon whom they fired some Guns, but he immediately answered with what he could, and they all answered with what they could, being to the Windward, and would not come near. The most of them firing at the Arse; but at last most of our Ships got up, but could not draw in a line as we intended, by reason of the narrowness of the place. And thus we continued till six at night; we thinking to draw them out to fire, though notwithstanding they had ninety per Cent, the advantage, they tacked, and stood into the Bay. I do assure, if they had but had Courage, as they had Number and Strength, they might have spoiled most of us; but I do protest, I never saw so much Cowardice by Men. I do believe without all hands, put their hands to the Plough, they will hardly be put out of Ireland. I suppose we have not lost aboveOne hundred Men killed in the Fleet; our rigging suffered the most. In fine, the Admiral did what could be expected. I will omit, till please God we meet; we are now about 14 Leagues from Cape-Clear at this time; my Service to all my Friends, etc. From  
York-Frigat, May 4 1689. Yours C. FEUD.