Ushakov's squadron arrived on 4 November 1798, initially with three ships of the line. The French abandoned Lazaretto's fortifications on the first day, allowing the Russians to occupy the island. On 13 November, Russian troops took Gouvia without opposition and began building batteries to shell the French forts. Reinforcements increased the combined fleet to 12 ships of the line, 11 frigates, and smaller vessels, while individual ships rotated home for maintenance. Généreux escaped with a brig on 26 January 1799 after blackening her sails, but Leander was in no condition to follow. About 4,000 Ottoman troops arrived in February. Captain Stewart of the Royal Navy also arrived and began charting the waters before the assault.
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Building the blockade around Corfu
Occupied shore positions, rotating squadrons, Ottoman reinforcements, and hydrographic work prepared the allied assault on Corfu.