Hawke's blockade had been forced into Torbay by the same severe weather that disrupted the French sortie. Robert Duff remained near the invasion transports with five 50-gun ships and nine frigates, maintaining observation with a force too small to fight the French battle fleet directly. Conflans first tried to avoid Duff and then pursued him after recognizing the squadron's weakness, scattering the French formation. When Hawke appeared, he ordered a general chase in heavy seas, converting Duff's apparent danger into an opportunity to catch the French before they could regroup.
Chapter · 1:04:57-1:08:50
Storm, scouting, and the chase into the bay
Storms disrupted both sides, but a small British squadron helped draw the French into Hawke's approaching fleet.