De Grasse ordered a convoy of about one hundred merchant ships toward Guadeloupe and formed his fleet to cover its withdrawal. Hood's van struck first, and HMS Alfred presented her broadside but held fire until Rodney's signal, demonstrating disciplined centralized fire control. Alfred's captain was killed during the inconclusive action despite obeying that order. Rodney then reorganized the line instead of leaving damaged ships in front. Drake's fresher division took the van, Hood moved aft to repair, and the British kept pressure on the French through several days of manoeuvre and psychological pressure.
Chapter · 2:47:12-2:53:15
Rodney rotates fresh ships into the van
After Hood's division absorbed the opening contact, Rodney shifted Drake's less-damaged squadron forward while Hood repaired in the rear.