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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

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French Revolutionary Wars

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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
Nation First Rates
100+ guns 		Third Rates
60-80 guns 		Frigates
28-56 guns
Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain 0 5 8
France France 2 42 94
Spain 4 6 14
Netherlands Batavian Republic 0 18 27
 Denmark 0 4 3
Total 6 70 138

Napoleonic Wars

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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)
Nation First Rates
100+ guns 		Third Rates
60-80 guns 		Frigates
28-56 guns
United Kingdom United Kingdom 0 0 12
France France 1 29 70
Spain 2 10 9
Netherlands Holland 0 5 6
 Denmark 0 18 12
 United States 0 0 3
Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire 0 1 5
Russian Empire 0 1 0
Pirates and rebels 0 0 1
Total 3 62 106

List of Actions

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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

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1793

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  • 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.
  • ?? April, French island of Martinique unsuccessfully attacked by British expeditionary force.
  • 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.
  • Inconclusive clash between British and French squadrons in Bay of Biscay.
  • French frigate Inconstante captured by HMS Iphigenia and HMS Penelope.

1794

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  • 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.
  • 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.
  • French frigate Volontaire destroyed by British frigate squadron.
  • 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.
  • 3-11 December, Mutiny on board HMS Culloden, eventually persuded to disband. 5 men hanged.

1795

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  • French frigate Pique captured by HMS Blanche.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French squadron and HMS Bellona & HMS Alarm.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

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  • 20 March - June: Successful British expedition to capture St Lucia, St Vincent and Grenada.
  • French frigate Unite captured by HMS Revolutionnaire.
  • 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.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate squadron and HMS Glatton.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate Pensee and HMS Aimable.
  • 7 August - 15 November: Successful French expedition to the Canadian coast.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate Vengeance and HMS Mermaid.
  • 17 August: Dutch squadron surrenders to British squadron without a fight.
  • French frigate Andromaque destroyed by HMS Galatea & HMS Sylph.
  • 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.
  • 21 October - 2 November: Successful French invasion of Corsica.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate Vestale and HMS Terpsichore.
  • Spanish frigate Sabina captured by HMS Blanche. Sabina recaptured the following day. Nelson

1797

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  • French ship Droits de l'homme is destroyed by HMS Amazon and HMS Indefatigable.
  • 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.
  • French frigate Resistance captured by HMS San Fiorenzo and HMS Nymphe.
  • 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.
  • 3-5 July: Failed British attempt to bombard Cadiz - Nelson personally engaged.
  • 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.
  • French frigate Nereide captured by HMS Phoebe.

1798

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  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate Charente and a British squadron.
  • French ship Hercule captured by HMS Mars.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigates Regeneree and Vertu and HMS Pearl.
  • 7 May: Failed French attack on the Îles Saint-Marcouf.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • French frigate Decade captured by HMS Naiad and HMS Magnanime.
  • 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.
  • 7-15 November: Successful British attack on Minorca.
  • Frigate HMS Ambuscade captured by French frigate Bayonnaise.

1799

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  • Spanish frigate Santa Teresa captured by HMS Argo & HMS Leviathan.
  • French frigate Prudente captured by HMS Daedalus.
  • French frigate Forte captured by HMS Sibylle.
  • 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.
  • French frigate Vestale captured by HMS Clyde.
  • Large French corvette Republicaine captured by HMS Tamar.
  • 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.
  • Inconclusive engagement between a Spanish frigate squadron and HMS Cerberus.
  • Spanish frigate Herminone captured by HMS Surprise.
  • French frigate Preneuse captured by HMS Tremendous & HMS Adamant.
  • Inconclusive engagement between a French frigate Sirene and HMS Glenmore & HMS Aimable.
  • French frigate Pallas captured by British squadron.

1800

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  • French squadron attempting to relieve Malta intercepted and defeated.
  • French ship Guillaume Tell captured by a British squadron.
  • Spanish frigates Carmen & Florentina captured by British squadron.
  • 2-6 June, British force raids French positions in Morbihan.
  • French frigate Desiree captured by HMS Dart.
  • 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.
  • French frigate Vengeance captured by HMS Seine.
  • 25-26 August, British force raids Spanish port but withdraws prematurely.
  • 5 September, Malta surrenders after a two year siege.

1801

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  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

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1803

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  • 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.
  • 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

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  • 30 January - 25 February, Unsuccessful British attack on the Dutch colony.
  • French squadron driven off by British merchant convoy.
  • 8 March, Successful British attack on the French colony (no serious fighting).
  • French privateer frigate Egyptienne captured by HMS Hippomenes.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French privateer frigate Psyche and HMS Wilhelmina.
  • 25 April - 5 May, Successful British attack on the Dutch colony.
  • 19 July 1804, French invasion flotilla destroyed by a British squadron. Over 400 French soldiers killed
  • 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

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  • Frigate HMS Arrow captured by French frigates Hortense and Incorruptible.
  • French frigate Psyche captured by HMS San Fiorenzo.
  • Frigate HMS Cleopatra captured by French frigate Ville de Milan. Both ships subsequently captured by HMS Leander.
  • Frigate HMS Blanche captured by French squadron.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate Semillante and HMS Phaeton.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French squadron under Linois and British convoy.
  • French frigate Didon captured by HMS Phoenix.
  • Fourth Rate HMS Calcutta captured by French squadron.
  • French frigate Libre captured by HMS Egyptienne & HMS Loire.

1806

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  • French squadron of Linois captured by British squadron.
  • 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.
  • 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

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1808

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  • French frigate Piemontaise captured by HMS San Fiorenzo.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigate Semillante and HMS Terpsichore.
  • Inconclusive engagement between French frigates Sirene & Italienne and HMS Aigle.
  • Danish ship of the line Prinds Christian Frederik destroyed by HMS Stately & HMS Nassau.
  • Dutch frigate Gelderland captured by HMS Virginie.
  • Turkish frigate Bader-i-Zaffer captured by HMS Seahorse.
  • Disarmed French frigate Cannoniere captures HMS Laurel.
  • French frigate Thetis captured by HMS Amethyst.

1809

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  • 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

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  • 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.
  • Failed British raid on French-held Spanish harbour, 13 December 1810.
  • French frigate Eliza destroyed by a British squadron.

1811

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  • 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

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  • 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.
  • Danish frigate Nayaden destroyed by HMS Dictator.

1813

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

1814

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  • French frigate Ceres captured by HMS Tagus & HMS Niger.
  • 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.
  • French frigate Terpsichore captured by HMS Majestic.
  • French frigate Clorinde captured by HMS Eurotas & HMS Dryad.
  • French frigates Sultane & Etoile captured by HMS Hebrus & HMS Hannibal.
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