Russell countered by holding fire as long as possible, to allow the French fleet to close; Almonde tried to extend his line to overlap the French van, while Ashby was still some way off and trying to close. The two fleets were within range at 11am, but both with-held firing for a further 15 minutes, until the "Saint Louis" (number 4 in the French Blue-and-White squadron) fired on her opposite number; at that the firing became general up and down the line.