Unable to open her lower gun ports in heavy seas, the Droits de l'Homme was repeatedly raked by the frigates, losing her mizzenmast by 22:30 with heavy casualties.

Pellew manoeuvred to cut the French ship off from the coast, and once her speed was slowed he closed, recognising a ship of the line. Rough seas prevented the Droits de l'Homme from opening her lower gun ports, so she could fire only upper deck guns, negating her normal advantage. Amazon closed to pistol shot and raked her; by 20:30 the frigates wove before her bow, repeatedly raking. By 22:30 she was in severe difficulty, with heavy casualties and her mizzenmast lost to British fire, and the frigates maintained fire on her quarters.

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