 While Tegetthoff's ships were still en route from the Mediterranean, the three Prussian ships remained in Brest for several days owing to the uncertain situation in the North Sea; the Prussians were not certain as to the location of Danish warships in the area and did not want to risk sending the small flotilla into a possible action with superior enemy forces.By 15 February, the Prussians had ascertained that the Danish Navy had sent only the screw frigate into the English Channel, so the naval command ordered Klatt to return home.From Brest, the ships steamed to Cherbourg, France, to replenish coal.