Panettière's French group reached the hazardous Alderney Race during the pursuit after Barfleur. His navigators refused the passage, but a local sailor agreed to pilot the ships through. The pursuing Allies lacked a willing pilot, and Richard Carter, the flag officer familiar with those waters, had died of his wounds. Almonde tried a longer route west of Alderney, but the delay allowed the French to reach Saint-Malo. Russell criticized the failure to follow, although local knowledge and navigational risk had constrained the pursuit.
Notable Point · 2:18:21-2:19:13
Local pilotage opens an escape through Alderney Race
Panettière escaped through Alderney Race with help from a local sailor while the Allies, lacking a willing pilot, declined the same hazardous route.