Rowley led the van in HMS Monarch under Robert Harland and turned to pursue the French rear when ordered. Although the battle produced the bitter Keppel-Palliser dispute, the van's conduct was not challenged. The rear division's failure to support the action became the focus of political controversy rather than Rowley's performance. Rowley's professional execution repeated the lesson he had seen at Toulon: doing the assigned job well could protect both an officer and the service from factional damage.
Chapter · 52:25-56:23
Ushant: Rowley stays clear of the Keppel-Palliser quarrel
At the First Battle of Ushant, Rowley's leading ship and the van perform their orders while the rear becomes politically contested.