 Rowley became aware of Feretier 's presence at Saint @-@ Paul during the following month and determined to attack the port and recapture the valuable ships in the harbour . The operation was also to be a prelude to an eventual invasion attempt , giving the squadron experience of an amphibious landing operation . Conferring with Lieutenant Colonel Henry Keating on Rodriguez , Rowley determined that Keating 's men would land behind the gun batteries that defended the town and storm them . This would allow Rowley to bring his squadron directly into the harbour , capture the shipping anchored there and possibly seize the town as well . Rowley 's planning was directly affected by a failed attack on Saint @-@ Paul on 11 November 1806 , when HMS Sceptre and HMS Cornwallis had attacked the harbour without infantry support . Their target was the frigate Sémillante , but neither ship had been able to pass the heavy batteries that protected the port and the British ships were forced to withdraw . 
