Hawke rolled up the French rear with local superiority

The French escort tried to draw Hawke away while the merchants scattered, but British strategy kept the warships as the priority. Hawke's loose attacking formation reached both sides of the French rear and rolled up the line, sometimes concentrating three or four British ships against one opponent. Fire into masts and rigging immobilized targets so the attack could continue forward instead of becoming a series of isolated duels. Coordination and gunnery benefited from the repeated practice possible when crews spent long periods at sea. At Trafalgar, rehearsed hand signals let captains command their crews when battle noise made shouted orders ineffective. Intrepide turned back to help the flagship Tonnant break free, while the last isolated French ships surrendered after being surrounded.