Arbuthnot came about, and Destouches ordered his ships to form a line of battle heading west, with the wind. Between 8 and 9 am the winds began shifting, but visibility remained poor, and the two fleets manoeuvred for several hours, each seeking the advantage of the weather gage.
As Arbuthnot's forces developed, Destouches instructed his ships to form a battle line heading west into the breeze. For about an hour and a half, the winds began to shift, but visibility remained poor, and the two fleets engaged in a prolonged game of cat and mouse, each seeking to outmaneuver the other.