In the French official report of the engagement given by Jean Bon St. Andre, he observes that while the two fleets continued manoeuvring, one of the ships, _La Révolutionnaire_, from motives not understood by the rest of the fleet, slackened its sails on the approach of the English; and that Admiral Pasley taking advantage of this circumstance, led on his division and attacked this vessel. In the conflict the British rear-admiral had his top mast disabled; assistance was therefore immediately ordered, and Lord Hugh Seymour, in the _Leviathan_, pushed up also to attack the _Révolutionnaire_, and was supported by Captain Parker, of the _Audacious_. The captain of the _Révolutionnaire_ was killed and the vessel greatly damaged. English official accounts add that the _Révolutionnaire_ struck to the _Audacious_. Night, however, put an end to the conflict; and in the morning a French ship fell in with the _Révolutionnaire_ and towed her into Rochefort. During the whole of the night of the 28th the two fleets continued in sight of each other; and on the morning of the following day Lord Howe made the signal for the fleet to tack, with the intention, if possible, of making some further impression on the rear of the enemy. As soon as the French admiral perceived this manoeuvre he also made the signal for his fleet to wear from van to rear, and continued edging down in a line for the purpose of bringing the van of the British fleet to action. Lord Howe upon this made the signal for passing through the enemy's line, and a severe action commenced. The _Cæsar_, which was the leading ship of the British van, did not, however, keep to the wind; and this circumstance appearing likely to prevent the movement of passing the French line from taking its full and proper effect, the admiral immediately tacked, and being followed and supported by the _Bellerophon_ and the _Leviathan_, passed through between the fifth and sixth ships of the line of the enemy. Lord Howe having accomplished this part of his plan, put about again, in preparation for renewing the attack; but after manoeuvring and counter-manoeuvring for some time the French wore round and stood away in order of battle, on the larboard tack, followed by the British fleet in the same order. The fleets then remained separated a few miles; and as there was a very thick fog they were seldom seen by each other. This fog lasted for the greater part of the two following days.