The change of wind had precipitated an action, which one admiral had been seeking, and the other shunning; but each had to meet it with such shift as he could.

The British (CC) being close-hauled, the French (CC), advancing on a parallel line, were four points[45] off the wind.

Most of their ships, therefore, could have gone clear to windward of their opponents, but the fact that the latter could reach some of the leaders compelled the others to support them.

As d'Orvilliers had said, it was hard to avoid an enemy resolute to fight.

The leading three French vessels[46] (e) hauled their wind, in obedience to the admiral's signal to form the line of battle, which means a close-hauled line.