Before Cuddalore, Suffren placed 1,200 troops aboard his ships. The soldiers increased the manpower available for gunnery during a long line-of-battle exchange. Their separate chain of loyalty may also have discouraged reluctant crews or captains from withdrawing. Hughes and Suffren then fought a conventional three-hour action in which every ship engaged. The extra manpower and discipline helped Suffren sustain the grinding fleet action that closed Hughes's operations and secured the strategic result.
Notable Point · 51:18-52:28
Embarked troops strengthen Suffren's Cuddalore fleet
Suffren embarks 1,200 soldiers to enlarge gun crews and perhaps stiffen the resolve of captains and sailors before the decisive action.