The quoted journal begins with hammocks stowed, powder and shot brought up, and every sailor kept at quarters through a stormy night. It records the difficulty of tacking in heavy seas and contrasts French fire into the rigging with British fire directed at hulls. The manoeuvre on 29 May briefly lost contact but secured the weather gauge for Howe. From windward, the British could choose when to bear down with the wind behind them instead of struggling to force an attack from leeward. This passage makes weather, sail handling, fire discipline, and tactical initiative part of the same age-of-sail problem.
Notable Point · 4:07-7:02
A battle diary explains the weather gauge
A contemporary account links battle preparation, disciplined gunnery, heavy seas, and Howe's hard-won windward position.