Battle of Ushant (1781)

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Second Battle of Ushant Part of American Revolutionary War Date December 12th, 1781 Location Bay of Biscay, 150 miles south-west of Ushant Result Decisive British Victory Combatants Britain France Commanders Richard Kempenfelt Comte de Guichen Strength 13 ships of the line 19 ships of the line Casualties - -

European waters, 1778–1782 First Ushant – Cape St. Vincent – Dogger Bank – Second Ushant – Cape Spartel – Fort St. Philip

The Second Battle of Ushant was a naval battle fought between French and British squadrons near Ushant on 12 December 1781, during the American War of Independence.

A French convoy sailed from Brest on 10 December with reinforcements and stores for the East and West Indies, protected by a fleet of 19 ships of the line commanded by Comte de Guichen. The British squadron of 13 ships of the line, commanded by Rear Admiral Richard Kempenfelt in HMS Victory, which had been ordered to sea to intercept the expected convoy, intercepted the French on 12 December. De Guichen's fleet was downwind of the convoy, which let the British ships sweep down to capture 15 merchant ships before the French ships could intervene.

The French convoy was later dispersed in a gale and most of the ships forced to return to port. Only two of the five ships of the line intended for the West Indies arrived in time for the Battle of the Saintes in April.