Following the reports of his scouting frigates, Pellew sailed from Malacca with a squadron of ships on 20 November, intending to destroy the remaining Dutch vessels on Java.
Setelah menerima laporan pengawasan fregatnya, Pellew berlayar dari Malaka dengan pasukan kapal pada 20 November, bermaksud menghancurkan sisa kapal Belanda di Jawa.