As night fell the French were still some way astern but were continuing to close the gap. At 10 pm a boat from the frigate Phaeton came alongside the Bellerophon with orders from Cornwallis to lighten the ship by jettisoning the two bower anchors and cutting up the launch and throwing it overboard. These orders were promptly carried out but had little effect on the speed of the ship. The situation at dawn on 17 June was alarming and was recorded in graphic terms in the Bellerophon's log-book:
At daylight saw the French fleet coming up very fast in three divisions. The weather division, nearly abreast, three of the line and five frigates; the centre, six of the line and four frigates; the lee division, four of the line, five frigates, two brigs, and two cutters. Cleared ship for action. Started sixteen tons of water in the main hold to lighten the ship. At seven went to quarters. Served bread, cheese, and wine to the ship's company at quarters.
Cornwallis ordered the Bellerophon and the Brunswick to the front of his squadron to avoid them being slowed down any further by damage to their sails or rigging from the shots of the leading French ships. He also wanted to keep them as a reserve force. He was aware that both ships had fought heroically at the First of June and could be relied on to fight to the death if necessary. As he later explained in his despatch to the Admiralty:
The Bellerophon I was glad to keep in some measure as a reserve, having reason at first to suppose there would be full occasion for the utmost exertions of us all ... I considered that ship a treasure in store, having heard of her former achievements, and observing the spirit manifested by all on board when she passed me, joined to the zeal and activity shewed by Lord Cranstoun during the whole cruize.
At 9.12 am the French opened fire on the Mars which was bringing up the rear of the squadron. The Mars returned the fire with her stern chasers, and at the same time the Royal Sovereign and the rest of the squadron hoisted their colours. These were the battle ensigns which were kept flying on every ship during an action and were only lowered if the ship was forced to surrender. Considering the overwhelming odds against them, the morale in the British squadron was extraordinarily high. As the Bellerophon sailed past the Royal Sovereign to take up her position at the head of the squadron, the entire crew cheered the Admiral. 'Billy Blue' was standing on the quarterdeck regarding the oncoming French ships with an indifference bordering on contempt, but as the Bellerophon passed under the lee of his flag-ship he raised his hat in response to the men's cheers. The firing from both sides became more general and the high-spirited cheering of the British crews became a feature of the action, each ship cheering other ships in the squadron as they fired their guns to keep the enemy at bay.
Around 4 in the afternoon the leading French ships made a determined effort to cut off and surround the Mars which had been injured by the enemy fire and was lagging behind. When Cornwallis saw several French 74-gun ships changing course towards her he pulled his flagship out of the line, swung her between the Mars and the French and let loose a thunderous broadside. The French ships immediately fell back out of range. 'This was their last effort,' he later remarked, 'if any thing they did can deserve that appellation.' At the time Cornwallis presumed that they would return to the attack, and he had a last-ditch plan prepared which might or might not save his squadron. During the previous night he had arranged that Captain Stopford of the frigate Phaeton should resort to a classic ruse de guerre if no other British ships came to their aid the next day.
At 5 o'clock in the afternoon on 17 June the Phaeton was 2 or 3 miles ahead of the squadron, and from her position on the horizon she began sending signals. First she reported sighting one ship of the line. Then she hoisted the signal indicating that she had sighted three ships of the line, then five, and then nine. She followed this by letting go the topgallant sheets which was a signal the French would certainly have known and meant there was a strange fleet in sight. She then displayed a Dutch flag which indicated that the fleet was a friendly one. The French naturally presumed that this must be the British Channel fleet, especially when the Phaeton altered course and headed back towards Cornwallis. When the topsails of some ships were sighted in the far distance (they were a convoy of English merchantmen which happened to be in the area) the French commander gave the order for the Brest fleet to break off the action and head for home. There was of course no Channel fleet and the successful deception added a final twist to Cornwallis's Retreat. When he sent a despatch to the Admiralty two days later Cornwallis was generous in his praise of the conduct of the captains, officers, seamen, marines and soldiers of all the ships in the squadron.
'It was the greatest pleasure I ever received to see the spirit manifested in the men, who instead of being cast down at seeing thirty sail of the enemy's ships attacking our little squadron, were in the highest spirits imaginable.' Their conduct throughout had made an indelible impression on his mind, and he said that had he let them loose on the enemy, 'I hardly know what might not have been accomplished by such men.'
On 25 June the squadron returned to England and anchored in Cawsand Bay, the fleet anchorage at the entrance to Plymouth harbour. There they stayed for a few days to take in stores and victuals before returning to patrol the seas between Ushant and Belle Isle where they remained for the next three months. Mid-September saw them back at Spithead, giving Lord Cranstoun an opportunity to deal with the nine rebellious marines who had written the letter of complaint regarding their treatment on the Bellerophon. A court martial was arranged for 29 September. It was held on board the 80-gun ship Le Juste, which was one of the French ships captured at the battle of the Glorious First of June and was moored in Portsmouth harbour. The president of the court was none other than 'Billy Blue' or, to give him his formal title, the Honourable William Cornwallis, Vice-Admiral of the Red, and second officer in command of his Majesty's ships and vessels at Portsmouth and Spithead. Among the other officers present were four admirals and two captains. The nine marines were charged with 'attempting to make a mutiny amongst the whole party on board by complaining of harsh and improper treatment in the Bellerophon and being accessory to the writing a publick letter to the Commanding Officer of the Marines on shore.' This was a serious charge and if the court found the men guilty of mutiny they could face the death penalty.
Lord Cranstoun questioned Major Smith, captain of the marines on board the Bellerophon, about the regime on the ship and asked him whether it was too severe and whether any of the marines had ever complained to him about their duties. Major Smith replied that the regime was perfectly easy. Lord Cranstoun then asked:
'Is it my custom in carrying on the duty of the ship to swear or speak in such a manner to any of the men as likely to hinder their coming forward with their complaints?'
'Remarkable for the contrary.'
'Do I suffer the officers to speak harshly to the men?'
'I do not recollect that I ever heard Lord Cranstoun mention anything to the officers as to the mode of speaking to the men.'