French ships that escaped immediate destruction remained trapped in the Vilaine under British observation. Hawke first sent fireships, but they did not destroy the sheltered vessels. He then developed a combined operation to seize a coastal peninsula and attack the ships from the landward side. Pitt redirected him toward another approach, but the proposal shows how blockade commanders considered amphibious force when geography protected an enemy fleet from direct naval attack.
Notable Point · 1:16:42-1:17:36
Hawke's plan to attack the trapped French fleet from land
When fireships failed against French vessels trapped in the Vilaine, Hawke considered seizing ground ashore and attacking them from land.