Action of 6 November 1794

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Action of 6 November 1794
Part of the French Revolutionary Wars
Date 6 November 1794 (16 brumaire an III) Location 400 miles west of Ushant Result French victory
Belligerents
France	Great Britain
Commanders
Joseph-Marie Nielly	Rodney Bligh and Powell Hamilton
Strength
5 ships of the line 3 frigates 1 corvette	2 ships of the line
Casualties and losses
40 killed	1 ship captured 40 killed

The Action of 6 November 1794 (16 Brumaire an III) was a naval battle that took place on 6 November 1793 near the Scilly Isles and was the first fleet action of the Napoleonic Wars.

A French squadron under Joseph-Marie Nielly intercepted two British ships of the line returning to England after escorting a convoy to Gibraltar. The French frigates located the British in the morning, and the squadron chased from 6.45 a.m.

By 11.00 a.m, the Canada had managed to outrun her pursuers and flee, and the Alexander was being overrun by the Droits de l'Homme.

The Alexander managed to damage the rigging of the Droits de l'Homme and force her out of action for a while, but the Marat came behind her stern and raked her, allowing the Jean Bart to close in and fire broadsides at close range. Badly damaged, the Alexander struck her colours.

[edit] Order of battle

[edit] France (Joseph-Marie Nielly)

• Tigre 74 (flag)
• Droits de l'Homme 74
• Marat
• Pelletier 74
• Jean Bart 74
• Charente (frigate)
• Fraternité (frigate)
• Gentille (frigate)
• Papillon (brig-corvette)

[edit] Britain

• Alexander 74 (Richard Rodney Bligh) - Captured
• Canada 74 (Charles Powell Hamilton)

[edit] External links

• (French) La guerre sur mer pendant la révolution et l'empire. Episode XV.

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