In 1747, he accomplished his greatest feat at the Battle of Cape Finisterre along the Spanish coast of Galicia. In charge of escorting a merchant convoy to the West Indies with eight ships, he was attacked on 25 October by 14 British ships of Admiral Edward Hawke, and sustained more than seven hours of fierce combat. Six French vessels were captured, but the convoy was almost totally saved. He also managed to avoid being captured when his ship, Le Tonnant with (80 cannons) was partially disabled. His second in command, marquis de Vaudreuil, on the Intrépide (74 cannon vessel), turned around and traversed British lines, and towed the ship back to Brest during the night. He ended his career as chef d'escadre.
