Ushant

Ushant (Fr. Ouessant), an island off the west coast of France, included in the dept. of Finisterre, with an area of 20 sq. m. and a pop. (1891) of 2490. The coasts are escarped and difficult of access; the soil is fertile. The island has two lighthouses and a telegraph station. Off Ushant an indecisive sea-fight took place on 27th July 1778 (see KEPEL); and here too on 'the glorious first of June' 1794 Howe (q.v.) gained a great victory, capturing seven vessels, one of which, the Vengeur, almost immediately went down with more than half her crew—in no glorious 'suicidal sinking,' in spite of Barère (q.v.).