The French ship in the action , `` Thétis '' , was destined for the French held West Indian island of Martinique with a cargo of flour and military supplies Supply , including over 100 soldiers to reinforce Cause_change_of_strength the island 's garrison .

`` Thétis '' had not even cleared Emptying the French coast when she was discovered Know by a patrolling British frigate of the inshore squadron , a unit tasked Confronting_problem with watching Scrutiny the entrance to the French Biscay ports , principally Brest , and intercepting Preventing_or_letting any ships seeking to enter Arriving or leave Departing the harbours .

This frigate , HMS `` Amethyst '' chased Motion `` Thétis '' and brought Bringing her to battle Hostile_encounter , closing Openness with the French ship but preventing Preventing_or_letting the soldiers aboard `` Thétis '' from boarding Temporary_stay the British ship and using Using their superior numbers to overwhelm Destroying her with heavy and accurate gunfire Use_firearm .

This frigate , HMS `` Amethyst '' chased Motion `` Thétis '' and brought Bringing her to battle Hostile_encounter , closing Openness with the French ship but preventing Preventing_or_letting the soldiers aboard `` Thétis '' from boarding Temporary_stay the British ship and using Using their superior numbers to overwhelm Destroying her with heavy and accurate gunfire Use_firearm .

The battle Hostile_encounter lasted Process_end more than six hours and the French suffered Bodily_harm over 130 men killed Killing , including the captain and many of the soldiers aboard , before the crew of `` Amethyst '' was able to storm Attack and capture Conquering `` Thétis '' .

Within minutes two additional British vessels arrived Arriving , attracted Influence by the sound of gunfire Use_firearm , and helped Assistance secure Getting the badly damaged `` Thétis '' for the journey Motion to Britain .