 As the British force under Captain Sir Richard Strachan approached the convoy , the escorting frigate Résolue opened fire . A general action followed , with Strachan succeeding in forcing the French ship to surrender within twenty minutes and both sides suffering damage and casualties . All of the French vessels were searched and subsequently returned to Mahé , the local French authorities reacting furiously at what they perceived as a violation of their neutral position . Messages were sent back to France reporting the action from Commodore Saint @-@ Félix but they evoked little response . Although under normal circumstances the battle might have provoked a diplomatic incident , the upheavals of the ongoing French Revolution meant that the despatches had little effect . 
 As the British force under Captain Sir Richard Strachan approached the convoy , the escorting frigate Résolue opened fire . A general action followed , with Strachan succeeding in forcing the French ship to surrender within twenty minutes and both sides suffering damage and casualties . All of the French vessels <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>were</mark></a> searched and subsequently returned to Mahé , the local French authorities reacting furiously at what they perceived as a violation of their neutral position . Messages <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>were</mark></a> sent back to France reporting the action from Commodore Saint @-@ Félix but they evoked little response . Although under normal circumstances the battle might <a href='been_done' title='3'><mark>have</mark></a> provoked a diplomatic incident , the upheavals of the ongoing French Revolution meant that the despatches had little effect . 
As da British force under Captain Sir Richard Strachan approached the convoy , the escorting frigate Résolue opened fire . A general action followed , wid Strachan succeeding in forcing the French ship to surrender within twenty min and both sides suffering damage and casualties . All of the French vessels was searched and subsequently returned to Mahé , the local French authorities reacting furiously at wat they perceived as a violation of their neutral position . Messages was sent bk to France reporting the action from Commodore Saint @-@ Félix but they evoked little response . Although under normal circumstances the battle mite done provoked a diplomatic incident , the upheavals of tdaongoing French Revolution ment dat thdaespatches had lil effect .