Battle of Cuddalore (1783)

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Battle of Cuddalore
Part of the American Revolutionary War
Date June 20, 1783 Location Bay of Bengal Result Indecisive
Combatants
Britain	France
Commanders
Sir Edward Hughes	Bailli de Suffren
Strength
18 ships of the line	15 ships of the line
Casualties
102 killed, 376 wounded	103 (?) killed, 429 (?) wounded

East Indies Campaign 1778–1783
Porto Praya – Sadras – Providien – Negapatam – Trincomalee – Cuddalore

The Battle of Cuddalore was an indecisive battle between a British fleet under Admiral Sir Edward Hughes and a slightly smaller French fleet under the Bailli de Suffren off the coast of India near Cuddalore during the American Revolutionary War. The battle took place on 20 June 1783, after peace had been signed in Europe but before the news had reached India.

On the death of Hyder Ali, the British decided to retake Cuddalore. The French fleet under Suffren appeared off the port on June 13th. A week of fickle winds prevented either side from engaging, but on June 20th Suffren attacked. No ships were seriously damaged, though casualties were high with both sides losing about 100 men dead and 400 wounded. Suffren successfully prevented the loss of Cuddalore.

[edit] The rival fleets

[edit] Britain

Superb, 74, Gibraltar, 80, Cumberland, 74, Defence, 74, Hero, 74, Sultan, 74, Burford, 70, Monarca, 70, Africa, 64, Eagle, 64, Exeter, 64, Inflexible, 64, Magnanime, 64, Monmouth, 64, Sceptre, 64, Worcester, 64, Bristol, 50, and Isis, 50.

[edit] France

Héros, 74, Annibal, 74, Argonaute, 74, Fendant, 74, Illustre, 74, Artésien, 64, Ajax, 64, Brillant, 64, Hardi, 64, Sévère, 64, Sphinx, 64, Vengeur, 64, Saint Michel, 60, Flamand, 50, and Hannibal, 50.