When he saw scattered sails in the distance at 03:00 on 13 March 1806 , he decided Deciding to investigate Scrutiny in his ship of the line `` Marengo '' , in the hope that the ships would again prove Know to be a merchant convoy .

As `` London '' engaged Hostile_encounter `` Marengo '' , the French frigate `` Belle Poule '' attempted to escape Escaping from the approaching squadron independently , but was also run Motion down and brought Bringing to battle Hostile_encounter by the British frigate HMS `` Amazon '' .