Lagos and Quiberon Bay break the French fleets

Boscawen brought fifteen ships of the line against twelve at Lagos, capturing three French ships and destroying two while damaging the Mediterranean force as an effective formation. Hawke then pursued the Brest fleet into Quiberon Bay, where difficult waters tested the seamanship of both sides. Britain lost two ships to wrecking, while France lost six destroyed and one captured and suffered roughly 2,500 casualties. HMS Warspite's presence at Lagos adds the action to the long service history of that name. The paired victories removed the fleet strength France needed for a concentration against Britain. They also established a recurring British method: watch separated French fleets and defeat them before they can concentrate, a pattern seen again in later wars and at Trafalgar.