Anson's May victory at the first Battle of Cape Finisterre captured all six French ships of the line escorting the convoy. Other captures included frigates, armed Indiamen, and seven merchant vessels, while most of the trading ships escaped. In June, Thomas Fox's eight British ships found a homeward convoy of about 160 merchantmen. This time the French warship escorts fled and forty-eight merchant ships were captured. The comparison distinguishes sacrificing escorts to cover a convoy from losing merchantmen after the escort withdraws.
Notable Point · 2:30:51-2:32:25
French convoy losses before Hawke's October victory
Two earlier convoy interceptions in 1747 produced different outcomes for French escorts and merchantmen.