With Hood's division still repairing, Drake's ships led the British line into the main action. HMS Marlborough, commanded by Captain Taylor Penny, held the leading position at about 07:40 and steered toward the French centre before running parallel. At 08:00 Rodney's flagship Formidable raised the red flag that authorized Marlborough to open fire. Marlborough was then opposite Dauphin Royal, described as two ships ahead of de Grasse's flagship Ville de Paris. The timing is presented as a deliberate attempt to obscure or damage French command and control near the flagship.
Notable Point · 2:55:36-2:58:37
Rodney times fire near de Grasse's flagship
Formidable's red flag released Marlborough's fire near ships ahead of Ville de Paris, aiming to disrupt French command and control.