In early 1799, Surcouf sailed to the city of Susoh in Aceh, on Sumatra, where he found two 20-gun merchantmen anchored in the harbour, in the process of loading pepper; "Clarisse" dropped anchor close by and opened fire, after which Surcouf sent his older brother Nicolas to head a 20-man board party on "Clarisse" 's boats and board the largest of the ships, while he boarded her with "Clarisse" from the opposite side; assaulted from two sides, she surrendered after a 30-minute battle. The other ship cut her anchor and attempted to flee, but the boats of "Clarisse" overhauled and captured her without resistance, most of her crew being ashore. Surcouf returned to Île de France with his prizes in June.