[4] In September 1810, word reached Madras that the British force that was blockading the French island of Île de France had been destroyed at the Battle of Grand Port and its commander Josias Rowley was in desperate need of reinforcement.

The French ships chased Ceylon westwards towards Île Bourbon and caught her on 17 September within sight of Saint Denis.

In a series of bitterly contested engagements during the night, Ceylon was battered and defeated, the badly wounded Gordon surrendering to Hamelin, but only after inflicting significant damage to his flagship.

[5] Although badly wounded in the action, Gordon was made captain of HMS Africaine, which later served as Admiral Albemarle Bertie's flagship in the successful invasion of Île de France.

[4] He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath and gradually rose through the retired ranks, becoming a vice-admiral in 1853,[6] and a full admiral prior to his death in October 1860 aged 79.