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On 5th August 1759 French Admiral Comte de la Clue, with 12 ships of the line and 3 frigates escaped from Toulon while the British blockading fleet, under Admiral Boscawen, was off station re-supplying at Gibraltar. De la Clue passed the straits on the night of the 17/18th when he was spotted by Boscawen’s scouts. In the morning only seven French ships were under de la Clue’s command, the rest having separated during the night. Pursued by the British three were taken and two driven ashore and destroyed. The remainder escaped to Cadiz where they were blockaded.