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Aftermath
Marshal
Conflans' orders to break out the transport fleet from Morbihan at all
costs was flawed from the start. Seeking refuge in dangeous waters
with an inadequate crew all but insured failure, and Bauffremont's withdrawal
meant in defeat, the French would not bring down a commensurate number
of British ships.
It
is probable that Conflans did not expect the arrival of the Royal Navy
so soon. Vice-Admiral Hawke's perserverance, skill, and daring
caught the French before any preparations could be made. Indeed,
the French line was in such disarray entering Quiberon Bay that Hawke
made no pretense to maintain formation, ordering is ships to attack at
will.
Vice-Admiral
Edward Hawke sums up the challenge nicely in one, rambling sentence:
"Indeed,
my lord, had you been in the action, I am of the opinion you would have
thought it a miracle that half our ships were not on shore, they were
all so keen in the pursuit of the enemy, in a winter's day and hard squalls,
upon their own coast, which we were all unacquainted with." (Hawke, 1759,
in a letter to Lord Anson)
The Year
that Was - 1759
