 Bligh ordered Hamilton to separate in the hope that he could escape without the slower "Alexander", Hamilton adjusting his course to a more northerly direction.Nielly had deliberately sought to disguise his squadron's nationality in an effort to lure the British close enough that he could catch and overwhelm them, the trap springing successfully as three ships of the line pursued "Alexander" while two ships of the line, including Nielly's flagship, and two frigates followed "Canada".To continue the deception, Nielly ordered his ships to raise the Union Flag at 07