With England at war with Turkey since January 1807, when H.M.S. Seahorse encountered two vessels of the Ottoman Navy cruising off Khiliodromania in the Greek Archipelago on 5 July 1808, Captain John Stewart resolved to bring them to action. Although both rated as frigates, the enemy ships mounted 78 cannon between then and the larger of the two, the Badere Zaffer, carried 52 guns against Seahorse's 38. It was already late in the day when Stewart first sighted his quarry and by the time they were in range, it was 9.30 and full twilight. By 10.15 Seahorse had reduced the smaller Ali Fezan to a blazing hulk and Stewart was then able to concentrate his fire onto Badere Zaffer. Seahorse pounded her until well after midnight when the ships separated, at dawn, she prepared to re-engage the Turk but after a single broadside into her stern, Badere Zaffer struck her colour and surrendered. Dismasted and with 165 of her men killed and 195 wounded, her remaining crew had no further desire for bloodshed and refused to fight on despite threats from their own captain. Stewart carefully shepherded his shattered prize into Malta but she was so badly damaged that she was rejected for Royal Navy service and sold to local merchants.