On the 11th of July their fleet, much stronger than the British, arrived from the Delaware, and anchored off Sandy Hook.

Admiral Howe knew his danger.

He asked for volunteers from the merchant ships and the sailors offered themselves almost to a man.

If d'Estaing could beat Howe's inferior fleet, the transports at New York would be at his mercy and the British army, with no other source of supply, must surrender.

Washington was near, to give help on land.