 The French defenders of the town , despite initially resisting the attack , were unable to prevent the seizure of the port 's defensive fortifications . The British force later withdrew under pressure from the main garrison of the island , burning warehouses containing over £ 500 @,@ 000 worth of silk captured from British merchant ships . Ultimately the French were unable to effectively oppose the invasion , the island 's governor General Des Bruslys retreating to Saint @-@ Denis rather than engage the British and later committing suicide . The transportation of forces from the recently captured island of Rodriguez , the co @-@ ordination of land and naval forces and the failure of the French defenders to co @-@ ordinate an effective response were all features of the subsequent invasion and capture of Île Bonaparte in July 1810 . 
