The Action of 18 August 1798 was a minor naval engagement of the French Revolutionary Wars Hostile_encounter , fought Hostile_encounter between the British fourth rate ship HMS `` Leander '' and the French ship of the line `` Généreux '' .

`` Généreux '' was one of only four French ships to survive Preserving the battle Hostile_encounter , while `` Leander '' had been detached Connect from the British fleet by Nelson on 6 August .

On 18 August , while passing Motion_directional the western shore of Crete , `` Leander '' was intercepted Preventing_or_letting and attacked Attack by `` Généreux '' , which had separated from the rest of the French survivors the day before .

Captain Thomas Thompson on `` Leander '' initially tried to escape Escaping the much larger French ship , but it rapidly became Becoming clear that `` Généreux '' was faster than his vessel .

For another five hours the battle Hostile_encounter continued , Thompson successfully raking `` Généreux '' at one stage but ultimately being outfought Self_motion and outmanoeuvred by the larger warship .

`` Généreux '' survived another year in the Mediterranean , but was eventually captured Conquering off Malta in 1800 by a British squadron under Lord Nelson .