With "Alexandre" now in danger of becoming isolated, Villaret sent the frigate "Régénérée" to take the lumbering vessel under tow at 05:00. Just under an hour later, Douglas brought "Queen Charlotte" within range, Guillemet firing his stern-chasers at his three-decked opponent. Douglas responded with his bow-chasers, gradually bringing his main battery into range and joined by Captain Sir James Saumarez in "Orion", which opened fire shortly after 06:00. The frigate captain, aware that his ship was powerless against two such opponents, abandoned the tow and sped ahead to rejoin the French fleet. Villaret's force had once more divided, with "Formidable" under Captain Charles Linois a little way ahead of "Alexandre" and Villaret in his 120-gun flagship "Peuple" ahead of "Formidable". With the French admiral were "Redoutable", "Mucius", "Wattignies", "Tigre" and Vence's flagship "Nestor", while the remainder of the fleet had pushed on ahead and were now substantially advanced. Villaret sent signals to form a tight line of battle, and all French ships repeated the signal, but none executed the manoeuvre.