After an hour and a half in pursuit Self_motion , with darkness falling Motion_directional , the East Indiaman came Arriving alongside the French `` Médée '' , giving Giving the impression by use of lights that she was a large ship of the line .

Thus the presence of a powerful Spanish squadron at Manila posed a threat Warning to the China Fleet , an annual convoy of East Indiaman merchant ships from Macau in Qing Dynasty China to Britain , which was of vital economic importance to Britain .

The British force—consisting of the frigate and brig-sloop under the command Control of Captain Edward Elphinstone—was initially wary of the Dutch , mistaking the Dutch East Indiaman merchant ship `` Victoria '' for a ship of the line .

The French subsequently turned Motion southwards out of the Strait and attacked Attack Bencoolen again on 9 February , capturing Conquering an East Indiaman in the harbour before returning Arriving to Île de France with their prize .