Damaged rigging constrained Palliser's response to Keppel's orders

Palliser's ten ships entered the action in a loose formation and suffered as they engaged piecemeal. Earlier orders and repeated changes of wind had both contributed to their failure to form a line. French fire into masts and rigging damaged the equipment needed to manoeuvre, leaving Palliser's division several miles upwind of the rest of the British fleet. Keppel sent a frigate to demand that Palliser join him and later signalled the individual ships directly, bypassing their divisional commander. By the time they assembled, darkness allowed the French to withdraw. Whether Palliser refused to comply became disputed, but the damage provides a practical reason for the delay. He was probably trying to obey while his ships repaired their sails and rigging.