A PAGE FROM HISTORY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1295, 10 September 1914, Page 4

A PAGE FROM HISTORY.

MARLBOROUGH’S GAME COCK OF 1794.

In the battle fought on the rst ot June, 1794, between Lord Howe’s fleet and the French, in the Bay of Biscay, thp Marlborough, a British battleship of 74 guns, commanded by the Hon. George Berkeley, was hard pressed. She had attacked a French seventy four named the Impetueux, which, in a little while was joined by the Mercius, another seventy four. The Marlborough fought the two of them for some time, and suffered terribly in the fight. Captain Berkeley was severely wounded, and was compelled to give up the command to Lieutenant Monktou. Every one of the Marlborough’s masts were shot away, and she was no longer able to make her escape, even if her officers and crew had wished to do so. In “ucfi plight the Marlborough’s men might well have been excused if they had lost heart and thought of striking their colours. But at thjs critical moment of the battle a ludicrous incident occurred which gave them new courage and zeal. The captain bad a game cock on board. When the main mast was shot away, this bird flew upon the stump, fluttered his wings and crowed defiantly. His fearlessness fired the sailors with the same spirit, and they fought bravely and doggedly on, until Captain Robert Stopford brought the Aquilon frigate to their help, and towed them out of danger. The Mercius

escaped but the Impetueux was taken by another vessel of the British fleet.

As for the game cock, he escaped injury, and was carried back to Portsmouth, He was subsequently given to Lord Lennox, and there was prepared for him a silver collar, upon which was inscribed an account of his distinguished bravery in the service of his country, and his picture hangs in many old English homes to this day.