The Loire-class flûte was a French Navy class of two 20-gun flûtes that Louis, Antoine, and Marhurin Crucy, Basse Indre, built to a design by François-Louis Etesse, and under a contract dated 5 November 1802.

British accounts of the battle generally refer to "the two armées en flute and late 40-gun frigates Loire and Seine".

Loire was under the command of lieutenant de vaisseau Joseph Lenormant-Kergré (or Lernormand Kergré), and had been transporting troops and supplies to Guadeloupe at the time of her loss.

Seine was under the command of lieutenant de vaisseau Bernard Vincent, and had been transporting troops and supplies to Guadeloupe at the time of her loss.

[5] With respect to the engagement at Anse à la Barque, Troude reports that the French vessels started to unload their cargo.