Benbow vigorously attacked Attack the French squadron , but the refusal of most of his captains to support Supporting the action allowed Preventing_or_letting du Casse to escape Escaping .

Benbow lost Earnings_and_losses a leg during the engagement and died Death of illness about two months later .

Benbow 's resolution to pursue the French , in what proved to be his last fight , proved irresistible to the public imagination .

The events of the fight inspired Influence a number of ballads , usually entitled Name_conferral `` Admiral Benbow '' or `` Brave Benbow '' , which were still favourites among British sailors more than a century later .

The events of the fight inspired Influence a number of ballads , usually entitled Name_conferral `` Admiral Benbow '' or `` Brave Benbow '' , which were still favourites among British sailors more than a century later .