 Three other British ships failed to respond to the signal from Howe , including HMS Alfred which engaged the French line at extreme range without noticeable effect , and Captain Charles Cotton in HMS <unk> who likewise did little until the action was decided , at which point he took the surrender of several already shattered French ships . Finally HMS <unk> under <unk> <unk> took no part in the initial action at all , standing well away from the British line and failing to engage the enemy despite the signal for close engagement hanging <unk> from her <unk> . The French rear ships were no less idle , with <unk> and <unk> firing at any British ships in range but refusing to close or participate in the <unk> on either side . The French rear ship Scipion did not attempt to join the action either , but could not avoid becoming embroiled in the group around Royal George and Républicain and suffered severe damage . 
