The Chilean ship had sailed to Madeira on 21 August to make provisions of charcoal and food supplements and to recruit sailors for its crew.

Captain McPherson decided to leave all his supplies on the dock and got the ship underway 90 minutes after the first sighting of Gerona.

In its haste, Tornado had not been inspected by or granted permission to leave port from the Portuguese authorities in Madeira.

Gerona had been sent from Cádiz under the command of Captain Benito Ruiz de la Escalera specifically to capture Tornado and its sister ship, Cyclone.

Tornado was manned by a prize crew commanded by Lieutenant Manuel de Bustillo y Pery.