The campaign depended on dispersed squadrons, frigate scouting, and imperfect information. Montagu recaptured British merchantmen and captured a French corvette that supplied intelligence about the grain convoy's direction and size. Further French captures left a trail as British ships retook prizes and learned where the French fleet had gone. A sighted French ship and its abandoned American prize helped Howe confirm the direction of the chase. Commerce raiding thus left witnesses and prizes that exposed the fleet's movements.
Chapter · 1:19:50-1:31:30
Scouting, prizes, and the breadcrumb trail to the fleet
French captures and British recaptures provided the intelligence that let Howe follow the convoy operation toward Villaret-Joyeuse's fleet.