Perrée and Markham both tried to get the most from their ships, but the French squadron began the chase in worse material condition. Its ships were inadequately cleaned, maintained, and equipped, and their frigate batteries were outgunned by three British third rates. Perrée tried the sailing expedients available to him during the twenty-eight-hour chase. His crews lacked the practice needed to execute them as effectively as British crews, who could crowd on sail and maintain pursuit. The outcome depended on ship condition and practised collective seamanship as well as each commander's judgement.
Notable Point · 1:04:00-1:05:14
Why Perrée's crews could not make the escape work
Poor material condition and limited crew experience prevented Perrée's sailing manoeuvres from defeating a prolonged British pursuit.