Come and ask, answer or inform.
Royaume de France (Marine Royale) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ship Name | Commander | Notes | |
| Name : La Belle Poule (32)
1766-1780 French 32 Gun 5th Rate Frigate | Chevalier Charles René Louis de Bernard de MarignyFrench Naval Sailor Administrator Marine Service 1754-1815 | ||
Great Britain (Royal Navy) | |||
| Ship Name | Commander | Notes | |
| Name : Courageux (74)
1761-1796 British 74 Gun 3rd Rate Ship of the Line | Samuel HoodBritish Naval Sailor Service 1741-1790 | ||
| Name : Hector (74)
1774-1816 British 74 Gun 3rd Rate Ship of the Line | Sir John Hamilton (1st Baronet of Trebinshun House)British Naval Sailor Service 1740-1785 | ||
On 7 January 1778, "Belle Poule" was intercepted by HMS Hector and HMS Courageux at 45° 46 N 8° W. The ships maneuvered as to take "Belle Poule" in a crossfire and demanded that Marigny put a boat to sea, which he refused. A British ship then sent a boat and asked "Who are you, where do you come from, where are you sailing?", to which Marigny replied: I am the Belle Poule, frigate of the King of France ; I come from the sea and I go to the sea; the ships of the King, my master, never submit to inspection. After some negotiation, the British officer stated that he had confused "Belle Poule" for a ship of the Revolted Colonies masquerading as a French ship.