Finding the French and forming a flying squadron

Weather first drove Howe south and forced the British to work back north before the pursuit could resume. A French scouting ship then revealed the direction of Villaret's fleet by racing away before passing a clear signal. When the fleets came into sight, both formations were disordered by the chase, while French officer shortages made rapid correction harder. Villaret still held the weather gauge and could threaten the approaching British rear. Howe answered by giving Rear Admiral Thomas Pasley the fastest available ships and sending that flying squadron against the French rear.