On the 26th the French ships turned on the frigates, but gave this up about noon, and proceeded on their way. The sea now became so rough that all the ships shortened sail. On the 29th the weather moderated, and the French squadron again started in chase. About nine o’clock the French battle-ship, the _Hoche_, sprung her main-topmast, and one of the French frigates carried away her top-sail yard. At this both the French and the British ships shortened sail. The French ships wore away to the north-west, and the British again followed them; but the _Anson_ had sprung her topmast, and in the evening the _Hoche_ lowered hers. The weather now became very bad, and the frigates hauled up and soon lost sight of the enemy. A week later the _Amelia_ left them, but three days after, they fell in with the squadron that had been despatched from Cawsand Bay when the _Boadicea_ arrived with news of the start of the French squadron from Brest. They were also joined by the frigates _Melampus_ and _Doris_, which while at Lough Swilly had received news from the _Sylph_ of the destination of the French squadron. The whole were under the command of Sir John Warren. With the hope that he had now shaken off his pursuers, Admiral Bompart bore away for Killala Bay, but as he neared the land his leading frigate signalled the appearance of the British squadron. Sir John Warren immediately gave the signal for a general chase, but a heavy gale set in that evening, during which the _Anson_ carried away her mizzen-mast main-yard and main-topsail-yard. The _Hoche_, however, was even more unfortunate, for she carried away her main-topmast, and this in its fall brought down the fore and mizzen-topgallant-masts. A few hours later the _Résolue_ signalled that she had sprung a leak which she could not stop, and the admiral signalled orders to her captain to sail towards the coast, and by burning blue lights and sending up rockets to endeavour to lead the British squadron after him, and so allow the rest of the fleet to make off.