File:Capture Des Flutes Alcide Et Lys En 1755 Pres De Louisbourg.jpg
In foggy conditions off the Newfoundland Banks, four French warships of de la Motte’s fleet became separated from their fleet and were sighted on 6 June and chased. They played hide and seek in the fog until two of them were brought to action and taken. A third that had been sighted and chased and escaped in the fog. Even though war was not officially declared, Boscawen had been ordered to attack any French squadron he met. The French ‘Alcide’ and ‘Lys’ were captured which resulted in the first shots of the Seven Years War, 1756-1763.
In the foreground of this contemporary painting, the ‘Defiance’, commanded by Captain Thomas Andrews is firing into the French warship the ‘Lys’, which is not replying. Between the two ships in the background can be seen the ‘Dunkirk’ commanded by Captain the Hon. Richard Howe and the ‘Alcide’ commanded by Captain de Hocquart. On the left an English merchantman is shown coming towards the viewer.