The Phoenix sent into Falmouth, Mr.Waterhouse, Lieutenant, sent in her to take charge of the Blonde prize." The French fleet, as related above, put out of Brest on May 16, 1794.
Flinders tells us how they were sighted, and what happened during the days preceding the great battle: "Friday, May 23rd.

The Southampton brought a strange brig into the fleet and destroyed her...a.m.

A fine little ship, called the Albion, of Bermuda, set on fire by the Glory.

The Aquilon brought a strange ship into the fleet.

A galliot, with Dutch colours inverted, passed through the fleet, having been set on fire by the Niger...A French man-of-war, captured and brought into the fleet by the frigates, was set on fire.
"Saturday, May 24.