On this day 17 May

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On the 17th of May 1795, British and French ships engaged, approximately 60 miles west of Cape Henry. The HMS Thetis (38), under the command of Captain Alexander Cochrane, and the HMS Hussar (28), under the command of Captain John Beresford, were sent by Rear Admiral George Murray two weeks earlier to intercept a group of French supply ships off the coast of Virginia. At dawn on the 17th, they spotted five French ships, and started their approach. The French responded to the oncoming British frigates by forming a line of battle. At 9 a.m., Cochrane signaled to Beresford to attack the second ship in the French line while he would lead the Thetis to attack the center ship. At 10:30 a.m., the British were within half-musket shot range, and the French offered the first round of fire. By 11:00 a.m., Cochrane forced the two lead French ships to separate, and the two British frigates concentrated their fire on the center and two rear ships. At 11:45, the three remaining French ships struck their colors. The two rear ships tried to escape, but the British were able to capture one of them – the Raison (pierced for 24, but mounting only 18). The Thetis took the Prévoyante (pierced for 36, but mounting only 24). The Normand, Trajan, and Hernoux escaped. The Prévoyante was subsequently commissioned as the HMS Prevoyante.

Alexander Cochrane:

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The Engagement:

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For more on today's event:
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/13790/pages/657
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Thetis_(1782)