The Guillaume Tell, 80 guns, proved herself one of the Royal Navy's most worthy opponents when, in the spring of 1800, she fought her last action under the French flag. She had been one of the only two French ships-of-the-line to escape Nelson's clutches after the Battle of the Nile (1 August 1798) and had run for shelter, first to Corfu and then to Malta. Before long Malta itself was under seige and the French garrison there was soon in such desparate straits that the commander, General Vaubois, realised that he had to risk his only remaining capital ship if he was to save the island. Under cover of darkness, the Guillaume Tell slipped out of Valetta at 11.00 pm on 30 March 1800 but was almost immediately intercepted by H.M.S. Penelope, 36 guns, in company with the captured Spanish brig Vincejo. Dispatching the latter for reinforcements, Penelope gave chase and opened fire on the much larger Frenchman in a running fight which lasted all night. At daybreak H.M.S. Lion, 64, entered the fray, closely followed by Foudroyant, 80, and all three ships then pounded Guillaume Tell for a further two hours. At 8.20am the next morning dismasted and with most of her guns out of action she struck her colours and surrendered. Defeated but not dishonoured, Guillaume Tell survived the battle to destroy her and recommissioned as H.M.S.