On 4 March 1796, a frigate squadron under contre-amiral Sercey left Rochefort for Mauritius. Its mission was to deliver 800 soldiers and two artillery companies, under general François-Louis Magallon, large quantities of food and ammunitions, and two Directory commissioners: Baco and Burnel. Soon after his arrival, Sercey had two more frigates readied to reinforce his squadron. These were Prudente (Magon) and Cybèle (Tréhouart). He also requisitioned a privateer cutter, Alerte, and brought her into service to replace his missing corvettes.