A nighttime collision damaged Zele and Ville de Paris before the fleets met again in the Saints Passage. De Grasse tried to protect the damaged ship, while Rodney recalled British pursuers and formed his own line. Hood's battered division moved to the rear and Drake assumed the van. Marlborough opened fire at about 7:40 a.m., beginning a conventional exchange as each British ship passed the French line. HMS Arrogant's recently improved guns and well-drilled crew reportedly delivered three broadsides for every one received, making rate of fire a decisive part of the opening phase.
Chapter · 1:18:27-1:21:45
The battle lines engage on 12 April
Night collisions, repairs, and a changing order of battle shaped the opening line-against-line exchange in the Saints Passage.