On 3 September 1782, in the late stage of the Battle of Trincomalee, as Suffren's flagship "Héros" was isolated, Bouvet broke discipline and took upon himself to move "Sphinx" next to "Héros" to support her, although Chillau approved retroactively. After the battle, "Sphinx" took "Héros" in tow, bringing her to the safety of Trincomalee harbour where they arrived in the evening of 7 September 1782.