Action of 3 July 1810

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This battle took place on 3 July 1810 during the Napoleonic Wars in the Mozambique Channel, when 3 800-ton British East Indiamen on their way to the East encountered 2 French frigates and a corvette. Henry Meriton, in Ceylon, realised they weren't going to escape and the British ships eventually formed into a line with Windham leading, Ceylon close behind, then a gap to Astell. Victor and Minerve approached from the starboard quarter, coming alongside Windham and Ceylon and attacking. After several hours of fighting, Windham, Minerve and Ceylon were damaged in the rigging and Ceylon surrendered. Windham kept fighting for a while in the hope that Astell could escape, which it did, before surrendering also.

Ships involved:

[edit] France

Bellone
Minerve
Victor (corvette)

[edit] Britain

Ceylon - Captured by Minerve. 7 killed, 21 wounded
Windham - Captured by Bellone. 6 killed, 18 wounded
Astell - 8 killed, 37 wounded