[3] In October 1781, Cillart was in command of the frigate Bellone, escorting the transports Neker and Sévère off Cape of Good Hope.
The squadron encountered the 50-gun HMS Hannibal, which captured the transports and brought them to Saint Helena.
[4] Bellone sailed on to Isle de France and reinforced the French squadron under Rear-Admiral Thomas d'Estienne d'Orves.
[8] Junior officers Dieu and Kerlero de Rosbo[9] refused to accept to surrender and resumed their fire, raking Sultan, and forcing Cillart to rehoist his flag.
Suffren answered that he was unaware that Sévère had surrendered and promised to launch an investigation, and also warned that without orders from his government he was not at liberty to give away his ships.