a british ship of the line , hms `` swiftsure '' under captain benjamin hallowell was passing Motion_directional westwards through the southern mediterranean near cape derna when it encountered Hostile_encounter a much larger french squadron under contre-amiral UNK ganteaume that was also returning Arriving westwards after a failed attempt to reinforce the besieged Besieging french garrison in egypt .

although hallowell immediately recognised Know the danger his vessel was in and turned Change to flee Escaping , the french ships were much faster and soon closed Self_motion with his ship .

at 14:00 , three french vessels were within long gunshot Attack and hallowell decided Deciding that his only hope of escape Escaping lay in disabling Destroying the three ships before the rest Preserving of the french squadron could join Participation the engagement Hostile_encounter .

although assisted Assistance by a bombardment of the french lines by several british warships commanded by captain robert hallowell , and a strong defence of the castle by catalan regulars and militia with men of the 38-gun frigate commanded by thomas cochrane , the garrison was unable to prevent Preventing_or_letting the advance of the franco-italian siege lines tightening Cause_change_of_strength its grip around the citadel .