about noon
As Daly was the recognised jester of the fleet , his extraordinary attempt to announce his vessel 's name was received as a characteristic joke , and it served to laugh at until something better offered . Under the actual circumstances of the two squadrons , however , it was soon temporarily forgotten in graver things , for few believed the collision that had already taken place was to satisfy a man of the known temperament of the commander-in-chief . As the junction of the rear division was the only thing wanting to bring on a general engagement , as soon as the weather should moderate a little , every ship had careful look-outs aloft , sweeping the horizon constantly with glasses , more particularly towards the east and north-east . The gale broke about noon , though the wind still continued fresh from the same quarter as before . The sea began to go down , however , and at eight bells material changes had occurred in the situations of both fleets . Some of these it may be necessary to mention . The ship of the French admiral , _ le Foudroyant _ , and _ le Scipion _ , had been received , as it might be , in the arms of their own fleet in the manner already mentioned ; and from this moment , the movement of the whole force was , in a measure , regulated by that of these two crippled vessels .