Captain Robert Mansel, standing to the south-east with a fresh breeze at north, discovered in the west-north-west three warlike-looking ships apparently in chase of her. At 2 h. 45 m., finding the private signal not answered, the brig, having previously shortened sail, cleared for action, to be ready to receive the leading ship; which had edged away towards her, and, showing 12 ports of a side, appeared to be a corvette of at least 20 guns, while her two consorts, apparently armed merchantmen, and either her convoy or prizes, kept their wind.

At 3 h. 45 m. the corvette, as if not liking the Penguin's appearance, tacked and rejoined her consorts ; whereupon the Penguin tacked also, and stood after them. At 5 h. 10 in. p.m. the Penguin arrived nearly within gun-shot of the sternmost ship, when the corvette, firing a shot, hoisted French colours, as did the others. All three ships then formed in line, and bore down for the brig's larboard quarter. The Penguin again tacked to close, and presently afterwards received and returned the fire of the three ships as they passed in succession. Being desirous to obtain the weathergage, the Penguin stood on; and at 6 h.15 m. p.m., having got into the wake of the French ships, the brig a third time tacked.

Immediately on this the corvette hauled to windward, and her two friends or prizes astern bore away and steered different courses: one of these ships, however, soon afterwards hauled up again as close as she could lie. In a few minutes the Penguin arrived nearly abreast and to leeward of this ship; when the latter, relying upon her weight and size, steered for the British brig's beam, with the intention of running her down. Two or three heavy and well-directed broadsides from the Penguin, poured in just as the ship approached near, caused the latter to let fly her top-gallant sheets, and haul down the French flag.

Scorning to stay to take possession of so unworthy an antagonist, when a ship more than equal to herself remained to be subdued, the Penguin stood on close hauled, and at about 7 h. 25 m. observed the corvette upon her larboard and weather quarter. In five minutes afterwards, just as the brig was about to recommence the engagement, her fore topmast came down ; and, to add to the misfortune, it fell over on the larboard side, and temporarily disabled the fore yard. Seeing the unmanageable state of her opponent, the French corvette, at 7 h. 45 m., bore close down; and a spirited action ensued, during which, until towards the latter part when the Penguin managed to get her starboard broadside to bear, the brig's fore topgallant sail and rigging frequently caught fire from the explosion of her guns. Notwithstanding this, the Penguin maintained the contest with so much vigour and effect, that, at 8 h. 30 m., the French ship sheered off and hauled to the wind on the larboard tack.

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