anticipating that the viet cong would attempt to withdraw Escaping , as they had during previous encounters , forces from the 1st australian task force ( 1 atf ) were inserted Hiding_objects to block Hindering the likely withdrawal route in the hope of intercepting and destroying Destroying them .

`` 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 .

French privateers operating Control from the Indian Ocean islands of Île Bonaparte and Île de France were a serious threat to British trade across the Indian Ocean during the Wars Hostile_encounter , and the British deployed Arranging numerous methods of intercepting them , including disguising warships as merchant vessels to lure Hold privateers into unequal engagements Hostile_encounter with more powerful warships .

The French Navy sought to disrupt Hindering British trade by intercepting Know and capturing Conquering merchant ships with roving frigates , a strategy countered Response by protecting British convoys with heavier warships , particularly in European waters .