In the open sea Conflans might have hazarded a battle without the imputation of temerity, as his fleet was equal in force to that of Hawke, but like a prudent commander he endeavoured to avail himself of all the advantages arising from the local knowledge of his pilots, who were well acquainted with the navigation of the shallows. He directed them to steer in such a manner as to decoy the English among the rocks. But the very execution of this proceeding, which at the time was thought disreputable to his character as a commander, required more time in execution than the occasion allowed, and the British ships came up with the French before they were well prepared for action. At half an hour after two o'clock the British van opened fire on the French rear. The _Formidable_, a French man-of-war, commanded by Admiral de Verger, a man of great courage and noble determination, behaved in the most heroic manner; broadside after broadside were poured into her by the British as they sailed successively past towards the van of the enemy; and she returned their fire with a promptitude that excited the admiration of friends and foes. In the meantime, the _Royal George_, with Hawke on board, was approaching the _Soleil Royal_, which bore the flag of Conflans. Intent, as it were, only on her prey, she passed on without heeding the shot of the other ships. The sea was dashing over her bows, and as she came rapidly nearer, she appeared as if she had been actuated by the furiousness of rage. Her pilot, seeing the breakers foaming on every side, told the admiral that he could not go farther, without the most imminent danger from the shoals. "You have done your duty in pointing out the danger," said Hawke, "but lay me alongside of the _Soleil Royal_." The pilot bowed in obedience, and gave the necessary orders. The _Superbe_, a French ship of seventy guns, perceiving what was intended by the movements of the English admiral, generously interposed between her commander and received the whole fatal broadside which the _Royal George_ had intended for Monsieur Conflans. The thunder of the explosion was succeeded by a wild shriek from all on board. The British sailors gave a shout of triumph, which was instantly checked by a far other feeling; for the smoke clearing away, only the masts of the _Superbe_, with her colours still flying, were seen above the water, and in a moment they were covered by a roll of the sea, and seen no more; but the _Soleil Royal_ was spared; she escaped to the shore, where she was afterwards burnt with disgrace. About four in the afternoon, the _Formidable_, which had maintained the whole battle with such heroic determination, struck her colours; but not until after all her officers had been killed. The _Héros_, a seventy-four, also struck, and the _Thésée_, of seventy guns, was sunk like the _Superbe_.