In September 1797, the 32-gun frigate H.M.S. Hermione, Captain Hugh Pigot, was cruising in the West Indies when her crew, driven to desperate measures by the deplorable cruelty of their commanding officer, mutinied and took their ship into La Guayra where they surrendered her to the Spanish authorities. In October 1799, as she was making ready to sail from Port Cavallo, Venezuela, Captain Edward Hamilton in H.M.S. Surprise was sent from Jamaica to intercept her. Arriving off the harbour on 21 October, Hamilton found Hermione strongly protected by two batteries amounting almost two hundred cannon and realised that only a night attack would have any chance of recapturing her. The audacious operation took place on the night of 24 October and Hamilton, with 100 officers and men, led six of Surprise's boats in under cover of darkness. Once aboard Hermione "a dreadful carnage" ensued but, by two o'clock the next morning, they were making for the open sea with Hamilton in command. It was one of the most daring exploits of the entire French wars and Hamilton's gallantry was rewarded with a knighthood as well as a greatly enhanced reputation.