Hawke’s general chase at Cape Finisterre

The French escort tried to hold off Hawke's fourteen ships of the line while roughly 250 merchantmen dispersed. Hawke chose the warships because an intact escort could attack from behind if he pursued the convoy. Destroying the escort also left merchantmen vulnerable to other British squadrons overseas. Homeward cargoes were especially attractive as prizes because they carried colonial goods for sale in Europe. Hawke's general-chase signal sent captains toward the enemy at their best cooperating speed. Three British ships reached the far side of the French line while most of the others attacked from the near side, concentrating against the weakest ships at the rear.