The battle of Anguilla. A Frigate Captain's eye view.


Taken from the Captain's Log of the Frigate Amelia. Captain James Roberts.



Name:  amelia.jpg
Views: 409
Size:  77.3 KB

5.24 am. Sail first sighted by Amelia.

5.40 Sails made out as French SOL.



Name:  95adebe4.jpg
Views: 387
Size:  18.6 KB

6.00 Amelia sights British Squadron and makes "5 French sail of Line Sighted 15 miles ENE of your position" to Rear Admiral Jackson aboard Flagship HMS Hibernia.

Jackson makes Received and signals Amelia to take up position as Repeater Frigate to Windward of Squadron.



Name:  IMG_1591.jpg
Views: 370
Size:  120.4 KB





Name:  IMG_1594.jpg
Views: 329
Size:  154.5 KB

6.43 Masthead lookout now reports Enemy in sight and heading to cross bows of British Squadron.


Name:  IMG_1595.jpg
Views: 355
Size:  149.4 KB




Name:  IMG_1596.jpg
Views: 343
Size:  152.5 KB


9.15 Opposing Squadrons close and first shots fired from Leadin British ship Vanguard.


Name:  IMG_1597.jpg
Views: 385
Size:  130.7 KB


9.17 French Reply.

Name:  IMG_1598.jpg
Views: 411
Size:  151.4 KB

9.23 French line wears in succession.

Name:  IMG_1599.jpg
Views: 408
Size:  170.3 KB

Jackson signals for rear of British Squadron to cut the French Line.


Name:  IMG_1600.jpg
Views: 463
Size:  173.3 KB


9.30 Flag signals General Action, followed by, Engage enemy closely.


Name:  3ab543d779211a8231e70c039c48abd0.jpg
Views: 399
Size:  83.6 KB


9.34 Defence is bow raked by Generaux, Goes aboard her and boards.

Much firing from the tops is observed.

Name:  IMG_1601.jpg
Views: 395
Size:  183.7 KB

9.40 Generaux's Captain is wounded in the mêlée and shortly after 9.43 she strikes to the Defence.
Vanguard pulls out of battle line, crew decimated.

Name:  IMG_1602.jpg
Views: 377
Size:  151.0 KB


9.45. Orient goes aboard Generaux is entangled, and attempts to retake Generaux in a counter boarding action.
Vanguard is raked at long range by Orient.


Name:  IMG_1604.jpg
Views: 329
Size:  179.4 KB

In turn Orient is Raked by Hibernia and Broadsided by Goliath.


Name:  02_tromso_battle_stor.jpg
Views: 301
Size:  259.0 KB

9.50 With half her crew involved in boarding Generaux, and many more dead or wounded she strikes to Hibernia which has now lost its main in the action.



10.05 Commerce de Bordeaux is raked fore and aft by Hibernia and Vanguard. Set on fire, the order to abandon ship is given.

Name:  IMG_1606.jpg
Views: 461
Size:  137.5 KB


Shortly after 10.17 she explodes. Many hands are lost including her Captain and First Officer.

Name:  IMG_1607.jpg
Views: 297
Size:  117.9 KB

10.06 Zealous, Goliath and Imperial exchange fire. Imperial's Captain is wounded.

Le Berwick attempts to aid the Imperial, and as she approaches is raked by the Frigate HMs Concorde. Her Captain Charles Dymock, now deeming it safe to do so and escape without damage in a following wind.


Name:  IMG_1608.jpg
Views: 367
Size:  184.7 KB



10 .17 Just as the Commerce de Bordeaux explodes, Royal Sovereign is attacked on both Quarters by Berwick and Imperial. She delivers a destructive broadside with all batteries into both ships, starting a fire on the Imperial.


Name:  IMG_1609.jpg
Views: 379
Size:  157.2 KB

Return fire reduces the Sovereign to a dismasted hulk, Captain Stewart is cut in half by chain shot on the quarterdeck, and a fire springs up amidships. The First Lt. orders the colours to be nailed to the stump of the Mizzen mast, and then the crew abandon ship.

Name:  images6OKZM59Z.jpg
Views: 384
Size:  7.6 KB

10. 26 Sovereign heels over and sinks.
10.30 Very close to her and still ablaze Imperial sinks at 10.38.



Name:  IMG_1610.jpg
Views: 353
Size:  172.2 KB

10.49 Le Berwick fires on Zealous and runs for safety, pursued by Zealous, who cannot fire because she was caught in stays and taken aback on her previous manoeuvre.


Name:  IMG_1611.jpg
Views: 366
Size:  157.8 KB

11. 10 Finally Zealous runs down Le Berwick and sets he on fire. Reduced to a hulk as the crew put out the fire she also strikes.


Name:  IMG_1612.jpg
Views: 384
Size:  165.5 KB


Thus ended the battle of Anguilla.


Bligh.