The captures were only the immediate result of Kempenfelt's attack. British pressure forced the convoy farther into the North Atlantic during storm season, where a gale dispersed it and sent most of the ships back to France. Kempenfelt then waited near the safer shipping lanes so that a favorable wind shift could let him strike again. The French escort could not chase him away without abandoning the transports it was assigned to protect. A smaller squadron thus imposed campaign-level costs through position, weather, and a credible threat of renewed maneuver.
Notable Point · 23:48-25:08
Storms and shadowing turn a raid into campaign disruption
Kempenfelt's continuing threat drives the surviving convoy into worse North Atlantic weather while its stronger escort remains tied to the transports.