Convinced that the Netherlands would not dare react, Joseph II had three ships (including the merchant ship Le Louis with the emperor's flag) sail from Antwerp for the Scheldt.
Yakin bahwa Belanda tidak akan berani menanggapi ancaman tersebut, Joseph II mengirimkan tiga kapal (termasuk kapal dagang Le Louis berbendera kekaisaran) dari Antwerpen ke Sungai Scheldt.