France and Britain fought to control shipping lanes and supply their side on the American continent, while conducting support operations and landings.

[2] On 7 June, Hermione was 15 miles South-East of Long Island, cruising under a fair South-Western wind, when she spotted four sails windward.

[1][5] After an hour and a half of cannonade at half-musket range, Iris reduced the topsail of her foremast; as soon as Hermione overhauled her, she veered into the wind and sailed away.

[5] On 10 June, Hawker published his version of the battle in a newspaper,[Note 3] stating that Hermione had fled although an American frigate was in sight.

[4] He further stated that he had attributed the retreat of Iris to her casualties, which he inferred from her low rate of fire at the end of the engagement, and was surprised to read that she had only seven killed and nine wounded.