7eat51
04-23-2013, 06:06
On the 23rd of April 1794, British and French ships fought of the coast of northwest France. The British squadron, under the command of Sir John Borlase Warren, consisted of the frigates HMS Flora (42), HMS Arethusa (44), HMS Melampus (42), HMS Concorde (42), and HMS Nymphe (40). The French force, under the command of Chef d'escadre F. Desgarceaux, consisted of the frigates L’Engageante (36), La Pomone (44), and La Résolue (36), and the corvette La Babet (22). At approximately 4:00 a.m., the British spotted the French ships, which subsequently formed a line ready for battle. Warren, having signaled to his ships to engage, fought the French for three hours in close combat whereupon the Pomone and Babet surrendered. The Engageante and Résolue disengaged and fled. The HMS Concorde, captained by Sir Richard John Strachan, led the pursuit, and after an hour, closed on the Engageante. Strachan’s plan was to disable the French 36 gunner, and then pursue the Résolue. Antoine-Marie-François Montalan, the captain of the Résolue, came to the aid of the Engageante, effectively disabling the Concorde. Strachan ordered his crew to make quick repairs, and after re-engaging the Engageante, brought her to surrender at 1:45 p.m. The Résolue, though now pursued by HMS Melampus and HMS Nymphe, was able to escape.
John Borlase Warren:
4394
The Battle:
4395
4398
4396
4397
On today’s event:
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/13646/pages/377
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_of_23_April_1794
John Borlase Warren:
4394
The Battle:
4395
4398
4396
4397
On today’s event:
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/13646/pages/377
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_of_23_April_1794