User:Jackyd101/Naval Actions 1793-1815

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This sub-page is a list of naval actions fought by the Royal Navy during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, contiguous conflicts between 1793–1815 sometimes termed the Great French War.

Inline with most British histories of the conflict, this list includes the War of 1812, the Anglo-Turkish War, the Anglo-Russian War and the various anti-pirate operations of this period as minor theatres of the overall conflict.

Totals

French Revolutionary Wars

This table shows losses of major warships among the major participants in the French Revolutionary Wars and subsidiary conflicts, 1793-1801. As it is focused on Britain's involvement in the conflict, it omits a number of factors:

  • French losses to Russian or Austrian operations (at least 2 frigates)
  • French losses in the Quasi War (1 frigate)
  • Venetian or Maltese losses (all of which subsequently became French)
  • Any losses in conflicts between Russia and Sweden or Russia and the Ottoman Empire
More information Nation, First Rates 100+ guns ...
Nation First Rates
100+ guns		 Third Rates
60-80 guns		 Frigates
28-56 guns
Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain058
France France24294
Spain4614
Netherlands Batavian Republic01827
Denmark043
Total670138
Close

Napoleonic Wars

This table shows losses of major warships among the participants in the Napoleonic Wars and subsidiary conflicts, 1803-1815. Italian warships are included in the French totals. As it is focused on Britain's involvement in the conflict, it omits a number of factors:

  • Portuguese losses (at least 1 frigate)
  • French ships captured in Spanish ports after the Dos de Mayo Uprising (6 third rates and 1 frigate)
  • Any losses on the Great Lakes
  • Any losses in conflicts between Russia and Sweden or Russia and the Ottoman Empire (At least 5 Turkish ships of the line and 6 frigates)
More information Nation, First Rates 100+ guns ...
Nation First Rates
100+ guns		 Third Rates
60-80 guns		 Frigates
28-56 guns
United Kingdom United Kingdom0012
France France12970
Spain2109
Netherlands Holland056
Denmark01812
United States003
Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire015
Russian Empire010
Pirates and rebels001
Total362106
Close

List of Actions

The list comprises those actions that I think merit their own articles, with a basic qualifying criteria that the engagement must have been between at least two ships of fourth rate frigate size. Other actions may merit articles on a case by case basis, but below this cut-off no action should be guaranteed an article. This list may omit some amphibious operations which deserve their own articles.

French Revolutionary Wars

1793

  • 2 January 1793 - first British engagement of the war: brig HMS Childers is attacked by forts off Brest harbour
  • Invasion of Tobago (1793)
  • 12 April, French island of Tobago captured by British expeditionary force.
  • Invasion of Martinique (1793)
  • ?? April, French island of Martinique unsuccessfully attacked by British expeditionary force.
  • Action of 14 April 1793
  • Inconclusive engagement between frigates Citoyenne Francais and HMS Iris.
  • Inconclusive engagement between frigates Semillante and HMS Venus.
  • French frigate Cleopatre captured by HMS Nymphe.
  • Inconclusive engagement between frigates Embuscade and HMS Boston.
  • 20-23 August, French city of Pondicherry captured by British expeditionary force.
  • 22 August-18 December Unsuccessful attempt by allied fleet and army to hold Toulon for the French Royalists
  • French frigate Modeste captured by HMS Bedford.
  • French frigate Imperieuse captured by HMS Captain.
  • French frigate Reunion captured by HMS Crescent.
  • Inconclusive engagement between HMS Agamemnon and a French frigate squadron.
  • Inconclusive engagement between frigates Uranie and HMS Thames. Thames captured by a seperate French squadron later in the day.
  • Action of 18 November 1793
  • Inconclusive clash between British and French squadrons in Bay of Biscay.
  • Action of 25 November 1793
  • French frigate Inconstante captured by HMS Iphigenia and HMS Penelope.

1794

  • Invasion of the French West Indies (1794)
  • 5 February - 20 April, French islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe and Saint Lucia captured by British expeditionary force.
  • 7 February - 10 August, French island of Corsica captured by British expeditionary force.
  • French frigates Pomone and Engageante captured by British frigate squadron.
  • French frigate Duguay Trouin captured by HMS Orpheus.
  • French frigate Atalante captured by HMS Swiftsure.
  • French frigate Castor captured by HMS Carysfort.
  • Major fleet engagement in which the French achieve their strategic aims but are tactically defeated, losing 7 ships of the line.
  • Second Battle of Guadeloupe (1794)
  • 5 June - 10 December, British-held island of Guadeloupe recaptured by French expeditionary force.
  • Inconclusive minor engagement between British and French fleets off Toulon.
  • French frigate Sibylle captured by HMS Romney.
  • Action of 23 August 1794
  • French frigate Volontaire destroyed by British frigate squadron.
  • Battle of Sierra Leone
  • 28 September, British trading port captured by French expeditionary force.
  • French frigate Revolutionnaire captured by HMS Artois.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate squadron and HMS Centurion and HMS Diomede.
  • HMS Alexander captured by a heavy French squadron.
  • Mutiny of HMS Culloden
  • 3-11 December, Mutiny on board HMS Culloden, eventually persuded to disband. 5 men hanged.

1795

  • Action of 5 January 1795 (i)
  • French frigate Pique captured by HMS Blanche.
  • Action of 5 January 1795 (ii)
  • Inconclusive engagement between French squadron and HMS Bellona & HMS Alarm.
  • Action of 2 March 1795
  • French frigate Tourterelle captured by HMS Lively.
  • HMS Berwick captured by French squadron off Corsica.
  • 13-14 March, Inconclusive clash between British and French fleets, two French ships of the line captured.
  • French frigate Gloire captured by HMS Aeolus. Gentille captured by HMS Hannibal in a related action the following day.
  • Action of 17 May 1795 - Battle of Cape Henry (1795)
  • French frigate Prevoyante and ship Raison captured by HMS Hussar and HMS Thetis.
  • Inconclusive engagement between a British squadron and a French squadron near Brest, known as Cornwallis' Retreat.
  • 23 June, Three French ships of the line captured by British fleet off Brest.
  • French frigate Minerve captured by HMS Lowestoft and HMS Dido.
  • 9-13 July, Inconclusive clash between British and French fleets, one French ship of the line destroyed.
  • 14 July - 16 September: British expeditionary force captures Dutch colony.
  • 1 August - 5 October: British expeditionary force captures Dutch colony.
  • Dutch frigate Alliante captured by British frigate squadron.
  • Action of 29 September 1795
  • Inconclusive engagement between frigates Vestale and HMS Southampton.
  • French squadron cruises with some success in Eastern Mediterranean.
  • Ship of the line HMS Censeur captured by French battle squadron.

1796

  • Christian's expedition of 1796
  • 20 March - June: Successful British expedition to capture St Lucia, St Vincent and Grenada.
  • Action of 12 April 1796
  • French frigate Unite captured by HMS Revolutionnaire.
  • Action of 20 April 1796
  • French frigate Virginie captured by HMS Indefatigable.
  • French frigates Tamise & Tribune captured by HMS Santa Margaita & HMS Unicorn.
  • French frigate Proserpine captured by HMS Dryad.
  • French frigate Renomee captured with minimal resistance by HMS Alfred.
  • Action of 15 July 1796
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate squadron and HMS Glatton.
  • Action of 22 July 1796
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate Pensee and HMS Aimable.
  • 7 August - 15 November: Successful French expedition to the Canadian coast.
  • Action of 8 August 1796
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate Vengeance and HMS Mermaid.
  • 17 August: Dutch squadron surrenders to British squadron without a fight.
  • Action of 22 August 1796
  • French frigate Andromaque destroyed by HMS Galatea & HMS Sylph.
  • Action of 28 August 1796
  • French frigate Elisabeth captured by HMS Topaze.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate squadron and HMS Arrogant & HMS Victorious.
  • Spanish frigate Mahonesa captured by HMS Terpsichore.
  • Invasion of Corsica (1796)
  • 21 October - 2 November: Successful French invasion of Corsica.
  • Action of 13 December 1796
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate Vestale and HMS Terpsichore.
  • Spanish frigate Sabina captured by HMS Blanche. Sabina recaptured the following day. Nelson

1797

  • French ship Droits de l'homme is destroyed by HMS Amazon and HMS Indefatigable.
  • Action of 31 January 1797
  • Large Algerian pirate ship captured by HMS Andromache.
  • 14 February: Spanish fleet defeated by British fleet.
  • 17 February: Successful British attack on the Spanish island.
  • Action of 9 March 1797
  • French frigate Resistance captured by HMS San Fiorenzo and HMS Nymphe.
  • Harvey's expedition of 1797
  • 6-22 April: British force has limited success against Spanish positions on Puerto Rico and Santo Domingo. French frigate Harmonie destroyed.
  • French frigate Hermione destroyed by HMS Thunderer and HMS Valiant.
  • Spanish frigates Ninfa and Santa Elena captured by HMS Irresistible and HMS Emerald.
  • Raid on Cadiz (1797)
  • 3-5 July: Failed British attempt to bombard Cadiz - Nelson personally engaged.
  • Action of 16 July 1797
  • French frigate Calliope destroyed by British squadron.
  • 25 July: Failed British attack on Spanish port - Nelson personally engaged.
  • 11 October: Ducth fleet defeated by British fleet.
  • Action of 20 December 1797
  • French frigate Nereide captured by HMS Phoebe.

1798

  • Action of 22 March 1798
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate Charente and a British squadron.
  • French ship Hercule captured by HMS Mars.
  • Action of 24 April 1798
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigates Regeneree and Vertu and HMS Pearl.
  • 7 May: Failed French attack on the Îles Saint-Marcouf.
  • Raid on Ostend (1798)
  • 14 May: Failed British attack on Ostend.
  • French frigate Confiante destroyed by HMS Hydra.
  • French frigate Sensible captured by HMS Seahorse.
  • French frigate Seine captured by HMS Pique, HMS Jason and HMS Mermaid. Pique was destroyed in the engagement.
  • Spanish frigate Santa Dorotea captured by HMS Lion.
  • Action of 26 July 1798
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigates Regeneree and Vertu and HMS Brilliant.
  • 1 August: Destruction of French squadron by British squadron.
  • Fourth rate HMS Leander captured by French ship of the line Genereux.
  • Action of 22 August 1798
  • French frigate Decade captured by HMS Naiad and HMS Magnanime.
  • Action of 7 September 1798
  • French privateer frigate Flore captured by HMS Phaeton and HMS Anson.
  • 12 October: Destruction of French squadron by British squadron.
  • Dutch frigates Furie & Waakzaamheid captured by HMS Sirius.
  • Invasion of Minorca (1798)
  • 7-15 November: Successful British attack on Minorca.
  • Frigate HMS Ambuscade captured by French frigate Bayonnaise.

1799

  • Spanish frigate Santa Teresa captured by HMS Argo & HMS Leviathan.
  • French frigate Prudente captured by HMS Daedalus.
  • French frigate Forte captured by HMS Sibylle.
  • Action of 9 April 1799
  • Inconclusive engagement between three French frigates and two British frigates.
  • 25 April - 14 August, French fleet sails from Brest to the Mediterranean and back again, causing much disruption.
  • Action of 20 August 1799
  • French frigate Vestale captured by HMS Clyde.
  • Action of 20 August 1799
  • Large French corvette Republicaine captured by HMS Tamar.
  • Surrender of Suriname (1799)
  • 20 August, Dutch colony surrenders to British expeditionary force without a fight.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate Preneuse and HMS Jupiter.
  • Spanish frigates Santa Brigada & Thetis captured by British frigate squadron.
  • Action of 20 October 1799
  • Inconclusive engagement between a Spanish frigate squadron and HMS Cerberus.
  • Action of 24 October 1799
  • Spanish frigate Herminone captured by HMS Surprise.
  • French frigate Preneuse captured by HMS Tremendous & HMS Adamant.
  • Action of 17 December 1799
  • Inconclusive engagement between a French frigate Sirene and HMS Glenmore & HMS Aimable.
  • Action of 5 February 1800
  • French frigate Pallas captured by British squadron.

1800

  • French squadron attempting to relieve Malta intercepted and defeated.
  • French ship Guillaume Tell captured by a British squadron.
  • Action of 5 April 1800
  • Spanish frigates Carmen & Florentina captured by British squadron.
  • Quiberon Bay Raids (1800)
  • 2-6 June, British force raids French positions in Morbihan.
  • French frigate Desiree captured by HMS Dart.
  • Action of 25 July 1800
  • Danish frigate Freja captured by HMS Nemesis and others. Britain and Denmark were not at war when this action occured
  • French frigates Medee & Concorde captured by British merchant convoy.
  • Action of 25 August 1800
  • French frigate Vengeance captured by HMS Seine.
  • Raid on Ferrol (1800)
  • 25-26 August, British force raids Spanish port but withdraws prematurely.
  • 5 September, Malta surrenders after a two year siege.

1801

  • 7 January - 19 February, A French squadron sails from Brest intended for Egypt, but eventually puts into Toulon. Sails again 15 March - 5 April without effect. Sails again in mid-May, reaches Egypt but refuses to close with the coast. Captures HMS Swiftsure. Returns to Toulon on 22 July.
  • Action of 26 January 1801
  • French frigate Dedaigneuse captured by HMS Oiseau.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate Bravoure and HMS Concorde. Part of Ganteaume's expedition
  • 10-13 February, HMS Success captured by French squadron without a fight. Part of Ganteaume's expedition
  • Action of 19 February 1801
  • French frigate Africaine captured by HMS Phoebe.
  • British invasion of Egypt (1801)
  • 8 March - 2 September, successful British attack on French force in Egypt.
  • 2 April, British fleet under Nelson defeats a Danish fleet.
  • Spanish frigate Gamo captured by HMS Speedy.
  • HMS Swiftsure captured by French squadron. Part of Ganteaume's expedition
  • 5 July, French squadron defeats British squadron.
  • 12 July, British squadron defeats Franco-Spanish squadron.
  • French frigate Carrere captured by HMS Pomone.
  • Failed British attack on the French Channel port - Nelson in action.
  • French frigate Chiffone captured by HMS Sibylle.
  • French frigate Succes captured and Bravoure destroyed by HMS Minerve and HMS Phoenix.

Napoleonic Wars

1803

  • 16 May, Napoleonic Wars begin.
  • 28 May -French frigate Embuscade captured without a fight by HMS Victory.
  • 28 May -French frigate Franchise captured without a fight by HMS Albion and HMS Thunderer.
  • Invasions of St Lucia and Tobago (1803)
  • 21-31 June, Capture of French-held islands.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate Poursuivante and HMS Hercule.
  • French frigate Creole captured by HMS Cumberland & HMS Vanguard. Closely connected to preceeding action.
  • Action of 2 July 1803
  • Frigate HMS Minerve captured by port defences at Cherbourg.
  • Three connected engagements. French ship of the line Duquesne captured, while Duguay-Trouin and frigate Gurriere escape pursuit by various British squadrons.
  • 20 November 1803, French frigates Clorinde & Surveillante surrendered to a British squadron.
  • 28 November -French frigate Bayonnaise destroyed without a fight by HMS Ardent.

1804

  • Invasion of Curacoa (1804)
  • 30 January - 25 February, Unsuccessful British attack on the Dutch colony.
  • French squadron driven off by British merchant convoy.
  • Invasion of Goree (1804)
  • 8 March, Successful British attack on the French colony (no serious fighting).
  • Action of 27 March 1804
  • French privateer frigate Egyptienne captured by HMS Hippomenes.
  • Action of 9 April 1804
  • Inconclusive engagement between French privateer frigate Psyche and HMS Wilhelmina.
  • 25 April - 5 May, Successful British attack on the Dutch colony.
  • Action of 19 July 1804
  • 19 July 1804, French invasion flotilla destroyed by a British squadron. Over 400 French soldiers killed
  • Action of 17 August 1804
  • French privateer frigate Blonde captured by HMS Loire.
  • French squadron captures two East Indiamen from the harbour despite strong resistance from HMS Centurion.
  • 2 October 1804, Failed British attack on anchored French force with fireships and catamaran explosives.
  • British frigate squadron captures thee Spanish treasure frigates and destroys another.

1805

  • Action of 3 February 1805
  • Frigate HMS Arrow captured by French frigates Hortense and Incorruptible.
  • Action of 13 Feburary 1805
  • French frigate Psyche captured by HMS San Fiorenzo.
  • Action of 16 Feburary 1805 & Action of 23 February 1805
  • Frigate HMS Cleopatra captured by French frigate Ville de Milan. Both ships subsequently captured by HMS Leander.
  • Action of 19 July 1805
  • Frigate HMS Blanche captured by French squadron.
  • Action of 2 August 1805
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate Semillante and HMS Phaeton.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French squadron under Linois and British convoy.
  • Action of 13 Feburary 1805
  • French frigate Didon captured by HMS Phoenix.
  • Fourth Rate HMS Calcutta captured by French squadron.
  • Action of 24 December 1805
  • French frigate Libre captured by HMS Egyptienne & HMS Loire.

1806

  • French squadron of Linois captured by British squadron.
  • Action of 14 April 1806
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate Minerve and HMS Pallas.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate Cannoniere and British convoy.
  • French frigate Bellone captured by HMS Powerful.
  • Action of 18 July 1806
  • French frigate Gurriere captured by HMS Blanche.
  • Dutch frigate Pallas captured by HMS Greyhound.
  • French frigate Rhin captured by HMS Mars.
  • Spanish frigate Pomona captured by HMS Arethusa & HMS Anson.
  • Four French frigates captured by British squadron.
  • French frigate Presidente captured by HMS Canopus.
  • Dutch frigate Maria Riggersbergen captured by HMS Caroline.
  • Dutch frigate Phoenix destroyed in Batavia by British squadron.

1807

1808

  • Action of 8 March 1808
  • French frigate Piemontaise captured by HMS San Fiorenzo.
  • Action of 18 March 1808
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate Semillante and HMS Terpsichore.
  • Action of 22 March 1808 (i)
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigates Sirene & Italienne and HMS Aigle.
  • Action of 22 March 1808 (ii)
  • Danish ship of the line Prinds Christian Frederik destroyed by HMS Stately & HMS Nassau.
  • Action of 19 May 1808
  • Dutch frigate Gelderland captured by HMS Virginie.
  • Action of 5 July 1808
  • Turkish frigate Bader-i-Zaffer captured by HMS Seahorse.
  • Action of 12 September 1808
  • Disarmed French frigate Cannoniere captures HMS Laurel.
  • French frigate Thetis captured by HMS Amethyst.

1809

  • French corvette Iris captured without a fight by HMS Aimable on 2 January.
  • French corvette Hebe captured without a fight by HMS Loire on 5 January.
  • Action of 22 January 1809
  • French frigate Topaze captured by HMS Cleopatra.
  • French frigate Junon captured by HMS Latona.
  • Frigate HMS Proserpine captured by French squadron.
  • French frigate Nieman captured by HMS Amethyst.
  • French ship Hautpoult captured by British squadron.
  • French frigate Furieuse captured by HMS Bonne Citoyenne.
  • Attack on French harbour by British squadron.
  • Frigate HMS Junon destroyed by French squadron.
  • French frigates Loire and Seine destroyed by British squadron.

1810

  • French corvette Confiance captured without a fight by HMS Valiant on 5 February.
  • French corvette Necessite captured without a fight by HMS Horatio on 21 February.
  • Action of 1 May 1810
  • Inconclusive engagement between Neapolitan frigates Ceres & Fama and HMS Spartan & HMS Success.
  • Capture of Reunion, 7 July 1810.
  • Four British frigates destroyed or captured by French squadron, 20 August 1810.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigates Iphigenie & Astree and HMS Africaine.
  • French frigate Venus captured by HMS Ceylon and HMS Africaine.
  • French frigate Eliza destroyed by a British squadron.
  • Battle of Palamos
  • Failed British raid on French-held Spanish harbour, 13 December 1810.
  • French frigate Eliza destroyed by a British squadron.

1811

  • French frigate Amazone destroyed by a British squadron.
  • French frigate squadron destroyed by a British squadron, 11 March 1811.
  • French corvette Dromedaire captured by a British squadron off Corsica, 31 March 1811.
  • Battle of Tamatave
  • French frigate squadron destroyed by a British squadron off Madagascar, 20 May 1811.
  • French frigate Pomone captured by a British squadron.

1812

  • Haitian frigate Amethyst captured by HMS Southampton.
  • French ship of the line Rivoli captured by HMS Victorious.
  • French frigates Ariane & Andromaque destroyed by HMS Northumberland.
  • Action of 6 July 1812
  • Danish frigate Nayaden destroyed by HMS Dictator.

1813

  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate Arethuse and HMS Amelia.
  • Action of 21 October 1813
  • French frigate Weser captured by a British squadron.
  • Action of 21 October 1813
  • French frigate Trave captured by HMS Andromache & HMS Eurotas.

1814

  • Action of 6 January 1814
  • French frigate Ceres captured by HMS Tagus & HMS Niger.
  • Action of 16 January 1814
  • French frigates Alcmene & Iphigenie captured by HMS Venerable.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigates Sultane & Etoile and HMS Severn.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigates Sultane & Etoile and HMS Creole & HMS Astraea.
  • Action of 2 February 1814
  • French frigate Terpsichore captured by HMS Majestic.
  • Action of 25 February 1814
  • French frigate Clorinde captured by HMS Eurotas & HMS Dryad.
  • French frigates Sultane & Etoile captured by HMS Hebrus & HMS Hannibal.

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