On the morning of 2 December 1799 the 18-gun brig-sloop HMS Racoon, under the command of Commander Robert Lloyd, was WSW of Portee when she encountered a French lugger. After an hour's chase Racoon captured her quarry, which proved to be the Vrai Decide, of 14 guns and four swivel guns. Vrai Decide had 41 men on board, under the command of Citizen Defgardi. The lugger was from Boulogne, had been out 30 hours in company with three other privateers, and had taken no prizes. HMS Cormorant was in sight and joined the chase.