The British frigate was HMS `` Africaine '' , a new arrival Arriving to the Indian Ocean .

`` Africaine '' was the first ship to reinforce Cause_change_of_strength Rowley 's squadron , but within three days of her arrival in the region was engaged Hostile_encounter by two French ships while attempting to drive Motion them away from Saint Denis on Île Bourbon .

The frigate `` Africaine '' had been sent Sending from Rochefort early in 1801 with more than 400 soldiers for the Egyptian garrison , and by February had reached Arriving the Mediterranean Sea , Commodore Saulnier seeking Hold to pass Motion_directional along the North African coast to avoid Preventing_or_letting patrolling Patrolling Royal Navy warships .

In an engagement Hostile_encounter lasting Process_end two hours , the French ship was reduced Cause_change_of_position_on_a_scale to a wallowing wreck Damaging as broadsides from `` Phoebe '' tore Removing through the hull , rigging and the soldiers packed Placing on the decks : by the time `` Africaine '' surrendered Surrendering , 200 men were dead Death and another 143 wounded Bodily_harm .