The English had now only eighteen ships to the French twenty-four, and the latter were to windward; but though thus in the proportion of four to three, and having the power to attack, De Grasse would not do it.

The fear of exposing his convoy prevented him from running the chance of a serious engagement.

Great must have been his distrust of his forces, one would say.

When is a navy to fight, if this was not a time?
He carried on a distant cannonade, with results so far against the English as to make his backwardness yet more extraordinary.

Can a policy or a tradition which justifies such a line of conduct be good?
The following day, April 30, De Grasse, having thrown away his chance, attempted to follow Hood; but the latter had no longer any reason for fighting, and his original inferiority was increased by the severe injuries of some ships on the 29th.