Action of 1794/04/23, 23rd April 1794

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Action of 1794-04-23

23rd April 1794
Part of : The French Revolutionary Wars (1793 - 1802)
Previous action : Operations against San Domingo 4.1.1794 - 4.6.1794
Next action : Orpheus vs Duguay Trouin 5.5.1794
 

Great Britain

 
Ship NameCommanderNotes
Arethusa (38) Sir Edward Pellew (1757-1833)3 killed, 5 wounded
Concorde (36) Sir Richard John Strachan (6th Baronet of Thornton, Kincardine) (1760-1828)1 killed, 12 wounded
Melampus (36) Thomas Wells (1759-1811)5 killed, 5 wounded
Flora (36) Sir John Borlase Warren (1st Baronet of Little Marlow) (1753-1822)1 killed, 3 wounded
 

République française

 
Ship NameCommanderNotes
Résolue (32) Joseph Marie Nielly (1751-1833)
L'Engageante (32) DesgarceauxUnknown Captured
La Pomone (32) Étienne Pévroeux (1746-1812)80-100 casualties Captured
Le Babet (24) P. J. P. Belhomme30-40 casualties Captured
 

Notes on Action


DescriptionTRN4
On April 23rd, the British frigates Flora, 36, Commodore Sir John Borlase Warren; Arethusa, 38, Captain Sir Edward Pellew; Melampus, 36, 2 Captain Thomas Wells; Concorde, 36, Captain Sir Eichard John Strachan; and Nymphe, 36, Captain George Murray, whilst cruising off the Channel Islands, sighted the French ships Engageante, 36, Commodore Desgarceaux; Resolue, 36, Captain P. Villeon; Pomone, 44, Captain Etienne Pevrieu; and Babet, 20, Lieutenant P. J. P. Belhomme. The French formed in line of battle: the British came up one by one to windward of them. The Flora began the action at 6.30 A.M., but lost her maintopmast, had her rigging cut to pieces, and dropped behind. The Arethusa, after engaging the Babet, took the Flora's place, whilst both sides crowded all sail the French to escape, the British to pursue. The Arethusa and Melampus captured the Babet at 8.30: the Engageante and Resolue had left the Pomone behind, and on that ship next fell the brunt of the British onset. Already the Pomone had been much damaged by the Flora's fire. The Arethusa completed her discomfiture by shooting away her main and mizen-masts, and setting her on fire. She struck at 9.30. The Concorde and Melampus then pushed on after the Eesolue and Engageante, but could not separate the pair nor delay them both enough to enable the other ships to come up. The Concorde accordingly decided to secure one, and closed the Engageante. The two fought side by side almost uninterrupted, as the Resolue quickly retired and the other British ships were too far astern to give help. At 1.45 P.M. the Engageante struck.
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