Both fleets then drifted apart for some time and became temporarily becalmed. The becalmed sailing vessels show the obsolescence of sail. The use of oars or sweeps allowed the xebec to approach vessels who were becalmed. The sailboat was en route to Guadeloupe from France had been becalmed for three days. Bouchard decided to chase the frigate, which they found becalmed. Then on 19 July "Pickle" found herself becalmed in the Straits of Gibraltar. However, the Dutchman's yacht is becalmed. On reaching Recherche Bay, isolated from the main settlement, the vessel was becalmed. The English were becalmed in port and unable to manoeuvre. But becalmed in the middle of the ocean, they succumb to exposure. They would have continued to Islay but were becalmed. Hull found himself becalmed, but he acted on a suggestion from Charles Morris. During the first engagement, "Helgoland" was becalmed, without engines and extremely vulnerable. It cannot move anywhere without it (is "becalmed"). He did not intend to enter, but was becalmed.