Admiral Grave's British fleet intercepted de Grasse's French fleet September 5 just outside the Virginia Capes.  The British lost the advantage of surprise by waiting until late afternoon when both sides were lined up in battle formation.

When the 24 French ships and 19 British vessels stopped firing at each other
at dusk, the British fleet had suffered the most damage, but the battle was a draw.  The French had the strategic position they wanted, however, and didn't risk any more damage of their fleet.  They were between the British navy and Yorktown and Cornwallis would have to
stay there.

Four days later the British ships headed back to New York.  While they were en route, Commodore Edmund Affleck, still in New York, made preparations to refit the fleet, writing to the Board of Admiralty in London: "I am making every preparation possible for the supply of the fleet in masts, yards & rigging as well as provisions for their return, but the deficiency of all these articles are not to be described and without the arrival of supplies from England and a mast ship from Halifax which the Warwick is gone for, the demands of the fleet cannot be complied with."