On 1 January 1800, "Clarisse" captured a large rice-laden merchantman, the British "James". On 3 January, she detected two American 16-carronade ships forming a line of battle; although "Clarisse" lacked the eight guns sacrificed to escape "Sybille" and 60 of her men detached on her various prizes, Surcouf engaged. "Clarisse" raked the rear-most ship, the "Louisa", and boarded her, while simultaneously firing a broadside on the other ship, "Mercury", which attempted to rescue her mate. Nicolas Surcouf led a 30-man boarding party to seize "Louisa", while "Mercury" escaped. "Clarisse" could not give chase, her bowsprit having been destroyed in the collision with "Louisa". Nicolas Surcouf took a prize crew and sailed "Louisa" back to Port Louis.