From the beginning of 1759, preparations were made in the ocean and Channel ports.

Flat-boats to transport troops were built at Havre, Dunkirk, Brest, and Rochefort.

It was intended to embark as many as fifty thousand men for the invasion of England, while twelve thousand were to be directed upon Scotland.

Two squadrons were fitted out, each of respectable strength, one at Toulon, the other at Brest.

The junction of these two squadrons at Brest was the first step in the great enterprise.
It was just here that it broke down, through the possession of Gibraltar by the English, and their naval superiority.