The transports sailed, and in a few hours joined the naval armament in the neighbourhood of Portland.

On the twenty-eighth a general council of war was held.

All the naval commanders, with Russell at their head, declared that it would be madness to carry their ships within the range of the guns of Saint Maloes, and that the town must be reduced to straits by land before the men of war in the harbour could, with any chance of success, be attacked from the sea.

The military men declared with equal unanimity that the land forces could effect nothing against the town without the cooperation of the fleet.

It was then considered whether it would be advisable to make an attempt on Brest or Rochefort.