 In April 1798 , Muskein was ordered to prepare a squadron of his barges for an attack on the Saint Marcouf Islands . The operation was intended simultaneously to eradicate the British garrison and restore French control of the raiding base , test the effectiveness of the barges in a military amphibious operation , and focus British naval attention on the English Channel and away from Bonaparte 's preparations at Toulon for the invasion of Egypt . On 7 April 1978 , Muskein sailed from Le Havre with 33 barges under the command of General Point , but on 8 April he found his passage blocked by the British frigates HMS Diamond under Captain Sir Richard Strachan and HMS Hydra under Captain Sir Francis Laforey . At 16 : 00 the frigates cornered the barges in the mouth of the River Orne and opened fire , but Diamond grounded soon afterwards and although the frigate was brought off after darkness , neither side was able to inflict serious damage . 
