[1][2] Despite the American Revolutionary War breaking out in North America, the fighting soon spilled over into Europe and the East Indies between the British and the French.

Barrington then made the signal for the 84-gun ship of the line HMS Foudroyant in the lead under Captain John Jervis to give chase to the French fleet.

[4] The French convoy consisted of nineteen transport ships and the 64-gun Actionnaire armed en flûte and bound from Brest to the Île-de-France.

[2] A hard squall with hazy weather, coming on about the same time Foudroyant lost sight of the fleet, and about half an hour after midnight, brought the chase to close action.

[1] In the morning of 21 April, some of the squadron again rejoined Foudroyant, and with the disabled state of Pégase and the continuation of a strong gale with heavy seas, Jervis made the decision to signal for immediate assistance.

[1] Maitland immediately took possession of the warship and found her to be Actionnaire, a 64-gun French ship armed en flûte and commanded by Captain de Kerangal, a Knight of the Order of Saint Louis.

Eleven chests of Dutch silver were found on board Actionnaire, alongside a large quantity of naval and ordnance stores, provisions, wine and rum.

[12] Jervis continued his service in the war, serving under Earl Howe at the Battle of Cape Spartel during the relief of the Franco-Spanish investment of Gibraltar.