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force an action, while the wind increased to a hurri-
cane and wrecked and scattered both fleets.
The French ship
Languedoc lost its rudder and masts; the Apollo, to which the
British admiral had shifted his flag, could not keep at sea.
The same storm flooded Rhode Island with rain, damaged the ammunition of the American army, overturned their tents, and left them no shelter except trees and fences.
Many horses were killed, and even soldiers perished.
The British troops, being quartered in the town, suffered less; and, on the return of fair weather, Pigot, but for his inertness, might have fallen upon a defenceless enemy.
The squadron of Lord Howe steered for Sandy Hook.
D'Estaing, three of whose ships had severally encountered three English ships, appeared on the twentieth within sight of Newport; but only to an-
nounce that, from the shattered condition of his fleet, and from want of water and provisions, after nearly five months service at sea, he was compelled by his instructions to sail for
Boston.
In general orders
Sullivan censured d'estaing, and insinuated the inutility of the
French alliance; and then, under compulsion from
Lafayette, in other general orders made reparation.
He should have instantly withdrawn from the island; and
Washington sent him incessant messages to do so. On Honyman's hill he was wasting strength in raising batteries which were too remote to be of use, and could be easily turned; more than half his army was composed of militia, who saw that the expedition had failed, and began to go home.
There remained in the
American camp less than six thousand men; and a retreat had now to be
