 These ships were Guy-Victor Duperré's squadron of "Bellone", "Minerve", corvette "Victor" and prizes "Windham" and "Ceylon" returning from the Comoros Islands.Following a month of repairs on Anjouan, Duperré had sailed for Isle de France without encountering any opposition on his return passage, and was intending to enter Grand Port via the channel protected by Île de la Passe.Duperré was unaware of the British occupation of the island, and Willoughby intended to lure the French squadron into the channel by concealing the British presence off the harbour.