Pondicherry: using a fleet to sustain a siege

The British were outnumbered in heavy ships, with only three third rates against eight French third rates, and did not need to destroy the opposing fleet in a stand-up battle. They needed enough disruption to keep it from intervening effectively. Pocock's ships attacked and withdrew rather than remaining in a line-of-battle contest they were unlikely to win. By maintaining cover for the besieging forces, the Royal Navy helped prevent relief and cut off Pondicherry's supplies. This is a useful case of naval action serving an operational objective rather than a search for tactical annihilation.