On 28 May Howe saw the French but found his own line dispersed while Villaret-Joyeuse held the weather gauge. He selected Rear Admiral Thomas Pasley and the fastest ships for a pursuit force. Pasley flew his flag in the fast 74-gun Bellerophon rather than the second-rate normally associated with the fleet's flag officers. That made him a natural commander for the improvised squadron. Its pursuit brought the French rear guard into combat before the main British fleet could close.
Notable Point · 1:33:03-1:38:18
The flying squadron and the 28 May chase
Unable to bring the whole fleet together quickly, Howe formed a fast flying squadron to catch the French rear and force an action.