Hawke's service ran through Toulon, Cape Finisterre, Mediterranean command, blockade work, and senior Admiralty responsibility. He had already been trusted to restore British strength in the Mediterranean after John Byng's failure and had held full admiral's rank since 1757. That record made him an experienced fleet organizer as well as an aggressive fighting commander. Quiberon Bay demanded a leader willing to pursue an enemy fleet into difficult coastal waters in violent weather.
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Edward Hawke's command experience
Edward Hawke arrives at Quiberon Bay as an experienced admiral trusted to restore British sea power after earlier failures.