The official dispatch reduces the action to a chase

The London Gazette prints St Vincent's covering letter from Port Mahon, dated 22 June 1799, forwarding reports written by Keith and Markham on 19 June. Keith praises Markham, whose ship was furthest advanced, while Markham describes a general chase to the northeast and the capture of three frigates. Bellona and Santa Teresa were nearest when the first two struck, so he signalled them to take possession while he pursued the third. Emerald took Salamine and Captain took Alerte. The accompanying list records the French squadron's reported guns and crews, and the letter describes it as thirty-three days out from Jaffa, bound for Toulon. The report says little about fighting beyond the ships striking, leaving the timing and conduct of the action to be reconstructed from other accounts.