The French fleet sailed for its usual exercise area under an east-northeasterly wind. At 11:30, a sudden shift to the northwest forced it to turn back toward Toulon. The advanced squadron found itself to leeward and could not regain port as quickly, giving Henry Heathcote a brief chance to attack with four British third rates. HMS Pompeii and then Pellew's heavier ships arrived rapidly, showing how quickly the fleet farther offshore could reinforce the inshore watch.
Chapter · 40:16-43:09
A wind shift exposes the French advanced squadron
On 5 November 1813, a sudden northwesterly wind left the French advanced squadron to leeward and prompted Henry Heathcote's inshore force to attack.