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Lot Essay
The Battle of Toulon took place on 22nd February 1744. The twenty-eight British ships under the command of Admiral Matthews opposed the French and Spanish fleets commanded by Admiral La Bruyre de Court and Don Jos respectively, a force of twenty-seven vessels. Despite the advantage of attacking from the windward side, the Bristish failed to close the enemy and the battle ended indecisively with the allied fleets returning to Barcelona. Mathews was cashiered (dismissed with dishonour) for not pressing the battle.