 In early 1799 Prudente was operating off South Africa , attacking British trade passing to or from the Cape Colony when the ship was discovered by British frigate HMS Daedalus under Captain Henry Lidgbird Ball . Prudente turned away and Ball gave chase , following the French ship closely . After five hours Daedalus caught Prudente and fired a raking broadside into the stern , disabling the French ship . For another hour the action continued at close range until Prudente was forced to surrender . 
