about 5 a.m.
On the first of June 1794 , the British fleet was steering to the westward with a moderate breeze , south by west , and a tolerably smooth sea . All night Lord Howe had carried a press of sail to keep up with the French fleet , which he rightly conjectured would be doing the same ; and as he eagerly looked forth at early dawn , great was his satisfaction to descry them , about six miles off , on the starboard or lee bow of his fleet , still steering in line of battle on the larboard tack . His great fear had been that the French Admiral would weather on him and escape ; now he felt sure that he had him . At about 5 a.m. the ships of the British fleet bore up , steering first to the north-west , then to the north ; and then again , having closed with the Frenchmen , they hauled their wind once more , and the Admiral , knowing that their crews had heavy work before them , ordered them to heave-to and to pipe to breakfast . The frigates , the _ Ruby _ among them , and the smaller vessels brought up the rear . Exactly at twelve minutes past 8 a.m. , Lord Howe made the looked-for signal for the fleet to fill and bear down on the enemy ; then came one for each ship to steer for and independently engage the ship opposed to her in the enemy 's line . The British line was to windward , and Lord Howe wished that each ship should cut through the enemy 's line astern of her proper opponent , and engage her to leeward .