Cautious of the larger force, Elphinstone observed the Dutch ships during the night and on the morning of 26 July identified the ships as a frigate, a corvette and two merchant ships, including a large East Indiaman.
Waspada akan angkatan laut yang lebih besar, Elphinstone mengamati kapal-kapal Belanda pada malam hari dan di pagi hari tanggal 26 Juli ia mengidentifikasi kapal-kapal tersebut: 1 fregat, 1 korvet, 2 kapal dagang, termasuk satu East Indiaman besar.