The covering squadron under Rocquefeuil sails from…
February 1744 CE
The French had made a mistake, believing that Norris's larger British fleet is currently in Portsmouth when it is in fact sitting off The Downs.
When Rocquefeuil arrives off Dungeness on February 24, he spots Norris' fleet and hastily retreats.
Norris pursues, but a violent storm suddenly descends—saving Rocquefeuil's squadron, which manages to avoid total destruction, although it is caught in the middle of the worst of the storm.