Training turns the chase into a victory

British ships fired canister into the French rigging to hit the skilled topmen who handled sails as well as damage the gear itself. Two months of training at sea helped British crews maintain a faster rate of fire than opponents who had only recently sailed. Once the rear ships surrendered, the attack moved forward along the French line. Intrépide, initially unengaged at its head, turned back to help the surrounded flagship Tonnant break free. Those two ships escaped, while the other six escorts surrendered. Most British captains closed to pistol-shot range, but Hawke judged Thomas Fox's conduct in Kent insufficiently aggressive and Fox was dismissed after a court-martial.