The French cutter Curieuse, of 10 guns and under the command of Captain Trolong du Rumain, chased Lively and ordered her to lie to, which order Biggs declined. However, the 32-gun Iphigénie, Captain Kersaint de Coëtnempren, came up and  ordered Biggs to sail Lively to the French admiral.
The French cutter Curieuse, with 10 guns and Captain Trolong du Rumain in command, chased Lively and gave an order for her to change course, which Biggs rejected. However, the Iphigénie, a larger ship with 32 guns under Captain Kersaint de Coëtnempren, arrived on the scene and issued a new directive for Biggs to steer Lively towards the French admiral.