about noon
On the 20th the two frigates were joined by the forty-four-gun frigate _ Anson _ . At noon the French were nearly becalmed . There was now no doubt that the destination of the squadron was Ireland , and the news was despatched by the _ Sylph _ to the commander-in-chief of the Irish station . 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 .