The French were unable to escape Escaping , and Laforey 's ship , the fifth rate , engaged Hostile_encounter the French corvette `` Confiante '' , while two smaller British ships chased Self_motion the `` Vésuve '' .

Only the corvette `` William '' escaped Escaping , taking Action no part in the engagement Hostile_encounter .

Searching for Rowley off Île de France , `` Ceylon '' was spotted Know by French Commodore Jacques Hamelin who gave Giving chase Self_motion in his flagship `` Vénus '' , supported Supporting by a corvette .

`` Vénus '' was faster than `` Ceylon '' , and although Captain Charles Gordon almost reached Arriving the safety of Île Bourbon , he was run Self_motion down and forced Causation to engage Hostile_encounter the French ship during the night , both frigates inflicting Change_sentiment severe damage Damaging on one another before the wounded Bodily_harm Gordon surrendered Surrendering to the approaching corvette .

As dawn broke Process_end , Rowley 's flagship HMS `` Boadicea '' arrived Arriving , recaptured Conquering `` Ceylon '' , drove Self_motion off the corvette and forced Causation the battered French flagship to surrender Surrendering , capturing Conquering Hamelin .

The ships , a frigate and a corvette , outmatched by their opponents , separated Forming_relationships and the convoy escorts did likewise , each following Self_motion one of the raiders on a separate course .