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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Glorious First of June
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(1 June 1794)
The British name for a battle fought in the Atlantic during the *French Revolutionary Wars. The British commander, Lord Howe (1726–99), was attempting to prevent a convoy of 130 merchant ships, loaded with American grain, from reaching France. About 640km/400m from the coast of Europe he engaged the French escort, which like himself had 26 *ships of the line. Howe captured six and damaged many more, but the convoy got through – leaving little but glory for the British to commemorate.
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