Perrée's division departed on 26 January 1800, but soon after, "Généreux" broke her mizzen tops and her main topgallant off Hyères, and had to double back for repairs. The division set sail again on 10 February 1800 and arrived off La Valette only a week later, due to adverse weather. On 18, off Lampedusa, "Généreux" investigated a strange sail which turned out to be a British ship rejoining two sails on the horizon. Perrée ordered his squadron to flee, but "Ville de Marseille" was overhauled by the 74-gun HMS "Alexander" in the next morning, and struck her colours at 8:30.