Closing to investigate Scrutiny , Pellew rapidly identified Check the ship as `` Cléopâtre '' and gave Giving chase Motion , the French frigate initially fleeing Escaping but Captain Jean Mullon then turning Becoming to fight Hostile_encounter as `` Nymphe '' began Process_start to overtake Motion his ship .

Closing to investigate Scrutiny , the ships were discovered Know to be a Batavian squadron of two frigates and a small cutter .

Closing Motion_directional with the French , the British commander Sir Francis Laforey sought to bring Bringing the French ships to battle Hostile_encounter as they attempted Hold to turn Motion back to Le Havre before the British squadron could attack Attack .