 In the afternoon, Willoughby used mortars on Île de la Passe to shell the French squadron, forcing Duperré to retreat into the shallow harbour at Grand Port and Willoughby subsequently sent officers into Grand Port on 21 August under a flag of truce, demanding the release of "Victor", which he insisted had surrendered and should thus be handed over to the blockade squadron as a prize.Duperré refused to consider the request.One French ship had failed to enter the channel off Grand Port