The French position was further weakened when a large British squadron, consisting of the ships of the line HMS Tremendous, HMS Trident 1768 6 and HMS Lancaster 1797 6 , the fourth-rate HMS Centurion 1774 6 and the frigates HMS Sheerness 1787 6 , HMS Concorde 1783 6 , HMS Dedaigneuse 1801 6 and HMS Fox 1780 6 anchored at Cuddalore, 20 miles to the south of Pondicherry.