The British frigate was one of a number of vessels detached Removing from the main British Mediterranean Fleet in the Tagus River , sent Sending to augment Cause_change_of_strength the fleet under Sir Horatio Nelson that was actively hunting Aiming the French convoy .

The British squadron consisted of seven ships of the line accompanied by associated frigates , led Conquering by Rear-Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren , were tasked Request with hunting Military_operation down and destroying Destroying the French squadron of Contre-Admiral Jean-Baptiste Willaumez , which had departed Departing Brest for raiding Attack operations in the South Atlantic in December 1805 , at the start of the Atlantic campaign Military_operation of 1806 .