 The new arrival was HMS Daedalus , a 32 @-@ gun 12 @-@ pounder Royal Navy frigate under the command of Captain Henry Lidgbird Ball . Ball maintained pursuit of Prudente , running 6 nautical miles ( 11 km ) behind his opponent until 10 : 00 when La Joliff swung his frigate to starboard with the wind , Ball following close behind . With the British frigate closing , la Joliff ordered his men to begin firing their stern @-@ chasers at Daedalus and at 12 : 10 hauled up to engage , firing a broadside into the British ship . Ball shortened sail and brought his ship across the stern of Prudente , firing a devastating raking broadside into the French frigate at 12 : 25 . Ball then drew Daedalus alongside Prudente and the ships fought a close range broadside duel , fire from Ball 's ship bringing down the mizenmast on Prudente after 15 minutes . It was only at 13 : 21 , more than an hour after the battle had begun , that La Joliff acknowledged the damage to his ship and struck his colours . 
