On 18 November 1809 , three ships Sending of Hamelin 's squadron encountered Hostile_encounter a convoy of India-bound East Indiamen , mainly carrying Bringing recruits for the Indian Army , then administered Control by the Honourable East India Company ( HEIC ) .

Despite spirited resistance from the largest British merchant ship , `` Windham '' , the failure of the other Indiamen to support Supporting their leader and the size and power of the French ships forced Control the British to withdraw Escaping : all the HEIC ships were subsequently captured Conquering by the larger , faster French warships .