Hawke's convoy protection and freedom of command

Corbett's England in the Seven Years' War helped inspire Haldane's army reforms, connecting historical study with institutional change. Its account of aid to Portugal follows British efforts to move troops past the Spanish squadron at Ferrol. Reinforcements from Cork could cross with relatively little risk, but the passage from Belle Ile was more exposed. Hawke chose a station northwest of Finisterre that lay on the convoy's natural route and used a chain of cruisers to watch Ferrol. Remaining farther offshore avoided the danger of being trapped near the port by a westerly wind, which would also prevent the enemy from sailing. The Admiralty instead pressed him to station his fleet directly off Ferrol and briefly considered an attack on the port. Corbett criticizes that attack proposal because the fleet was only just strong enough to cover the troop movement. Hawke retained his disposition, arguing that he had considered the enemy, the transports, and the weather together.