The commander of Le Lys, Courserac, led the squadron directly in the Bay of Rio, between the forts lining the harbour entry, and straight at seven Portuguese warships that were anchored there. The Portuguese fleet commander, admiral Gaspar da Costa, could do nothing but cut the cables in hopes of getting his ships moving.
The commander of Le Lys, Courserac, directed his squadron straight into the Bay of Rio, between the forts guarding the harbour entrance, and directly at seven Portuguese warships anchored there. The Portuguese fleet commander, admiral Gaspar da Costa, could do nothing but sever the cables in hopes of getting his ships moving.