The grain convoy left American waters in April, while Howe covered British merchant convoys into the Western Approaches before sending frigates to observe Brest. Detached squadrons under Nielly and Montagu hunted shipping and gathered intelligence across the mid-Atlantic. Nielly captured the Newfoundland convoy and HMS Castor, then reinforced the grain convoy before sending word for Villaret-Joyeuse to sail. Howe cruised the Bay of Biscay watching Brest and the routes by which Montagu might report. Dense fog allowed the French battle fleet to pass so close that both sides heard the other, but mistook the sounds for ships of their own formation.
Chapter · 1:19:21-1:27:18
Convoy escort and interception plans collide
French and British squadrons crossed the Atlantic in a contest to reinforce, locate, protect, or intercept the grain convoy.