Capture of the Junon, 10th February 1809

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Capture of the Junon

10th February 1809
Part of : The Napoleonic Wars (1803 - 1815)
Previous action : Action of 1809-02-08 8.2.1809
Next action : Action at Sables d'Olonne 27.2.1809
 

Great Britain

 
Ship NameCommanderNotes
Horatio (38) George Scott
Latona (38) James Athol Wood (1756-1829), Hugh Pigot (1775-1857)
Driver (18) Charles Claridge, George Paris Monke (d.1828)
Superieure (14) Humphrey Fleming Senhouse (1781-1841), William Ferrie
 

République française

 
Ship NameCommanderNotes
La Junon (36) J. B. A. Rousseau Captured 130 casualties
 

Notes on Action


DescriptionTRN5
On February 7th, the Junon, 40, Captain J. B. A. Rousseau, after having been for some weeks blockaded in the harbour of the Saintes, escaped to sea. She was sighted next day by the British vessels Superieure, 14, Commander William Ferrie, and Asp, 16, Commander Robert Preston. The Superieure gave chase; but the Asp soon dropped behind. In the afternoon of the 9th the Superieure was still bravely pursuing, when the Latona, 38, Captain Hugh Pigot, opportunely hove in sight, and joined in the chase. On the 10th, the two vessels were some distance astern of the Junon. At that point, two more British vessels, the Horatio, 38, Captain George Scott, and Driver, 18, Commander Charles Claridge, came into sight, steering on the opposite tack. Their appearance compelled the Junon to turn and go before the wind, whereupon she was headed off by the Latona, and forced to double back and meet the Horatio. She passed the Horatio on the opposite tack, exchanging a hot fire, and then wore, and hauled up. But the Horatio outstripped her in speed of wearing, and was able to rake her. The Junon hauled up again on the starboard tack, and was brought to close action by her antagonist, running on the same tack. The Horatio's main and mizen topmasts, fore top-gallant mast, and fore topsail tie were shot away, and her Captain was wounded. The Junon soon drew away, with less serious injuries to her rigging but greatly shattered in hull. The Superieure pluckily opened fire on her, the Latona being too far away to give any help; and the Driver not hastening up to engage. At last the Latona got within range and opened fire, and the Driver got near enough to attack. The Junon s main and mizen masts fell in an attempt to tack, whereupon the French flag was struck, after a most creditable and skilful resistance to greatly superior force. The Junon lost 130 out of a crew of 323; the British loss was 7 killed and 33 wounded.

Sources


IDDescriptionAuthorType
TRN5The Royal Navy : a history from the earliest times to the present Vol VWilliam Laid ClowesDigital Book
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