On March 9 1797, the HMS St. Fiorenzo and the HMS Nymphe captured the French frigate Résistance and corvette Constance en route to Brest. British captains Harry Burrard-Neale and John Cooke spotted the two French ships returning from the unsuccessful raid on Fishguard. Neale, commanding the 38-gun frigate St. Fiorenzo, and Cooke, commanding the 36-gun frigate Nymphe, pursued the French ships, and after 30 minutes of engagement, defeated them without sustaining a single casualty. The Royal Navy renamed the 48-gun Résistance as the HMS Fisgard, while retaining the name of the 24-gun Constance.

Captain Harry Burrard-Neale:
Name: Harry Burrard-Neale (England).jpg Views: 245 Size: 78.3 KB

Captain John Cooke:
Name: John Cooke (England).jpg Views: 262 Size: 90.5 KB

The Engagement:
Name: The Capture of the 'Resistance' and 'Constance' by HMS 'San Fiorenzo' and 'Nymphe', 9 March 1797.jpg Views: 964 Size: 72.6 KB


For more information on today's event:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_St_Fiorenzo_(1794)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Nymphe_(1780)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Co..._Navy_officer)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Burrard-Neale