Keppel publicly praised his officers but blamed Palliser in private notes that his nephew published. Political allies and ministerial newspapers took opposing sides, turning the inconclusive battle into a parliamentary and press dispute. Both admirals were court-martialed and acquitted, although Palliser was censured for failing to report battle damage promptly. Keppel received no further sea command but became First Lord of the Admiralty in 1782. Palliser later governed Greenwich Hospital, supported James Cook, and erected a memorial to Cook after his death. The closing discussion also distinguishes this action from several other battles called Ushant, including the destroyer action of 1944.
Notable Point · 3:54:22-4:00:25
Ushant becomes the Keppel-Palliser affair
Private accusations transformed an inconclusive battle between old friends into partisan courts-martial that ended both men’s active sea careers.