Action of 8 June 1794

Action of 8 June 1794
Part of the French Revolutionary Wars
Date8 June 1794
LocationOff Fréjus
Result French victory
Belligerents
France French Republic Kingdom of Sardinia
 Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Lieutenant Charbonnier
Captain Cosmao-Kerjulien
Rear-Admiral Martin
Captain Ross
Strength
Frigate Boudeuse
80-gun Tonnant		 Frigate Alceste

The Action of 8 June 1794 was a minor naval engagement of the French Revolutionary Wars, fought between the Sardinian frigate Alceste and the French frigate Boudeuse, with eventually support from the 80-gun Tonnant. In the battle, Alceste manhandled Boudeuse, but the engagement allowed the overwhelming Tonnant to arrive on the scene, forcing Alceste to surrender.

Background

In spring of 1794, France was preparing a 15-sail convoy to supply Corsica and counter the British Siege of Bastia. A squadron based in Toulon, under Rear-Admiral Martin, comprising seven ships of the line and several frigates, was to escort the convoy. Bastia fell to the British on 19 May 1794, and the original plans for the French squadron became moot.[1]

In the afternoon of 6 June, Martin put to sea with the intent to cruise off the coasts of Corsica.[1] Soon, the French squadron spotted a 10-ship British division to its south; the French formed a line of battle, but the British refused the engagement, sailed by at a distance of 9 miles, turned, and disappeared the next day.[2]

Admiral Hood ordered the 36-gun Alceste, a French-built frigate captured by the British at Toulon and transferred by them to the Kingdom of Sardinia, to sail from Bastia to reinforce the blockading British squadrons.

Battle

On 8 June 1794, the French squadron spotted a strange sail between themselves and the shore; she was the Alceste.[2]

As the French ships were flying British colours at the time, Alceste approached with confidence and realised her mistake too late to escape. The 32-gun Boudeuse gave chase and overhauled Alceste some six miles under the wind of the French division.[2]

After a spirited[3] two-hour battle, in which Boudeuse suffered much damage to her rigging, the 80-gun Tonnant arrived on the scene and opened fire. Alceste struck at Tonnant‍ '​ third shot.[2]

Aftermath

Boudeuse‍ '​ rigging was so damaged, particularly her mainmast, and Martin sent her back to Toulon for repairs. Alceste, on the other hand, was mostly intact.

Later the same day, Sérieuse captured the 14-gun merchant brig Expedition, which was sailing from Bastia to Livorno. Prize crews took Expedition and Alceste to Nice.[2]

The French squadron's sortie induced Admiral Hood to put to sea with his 13 ships of the line, of which five had over 100 guns, and several frigates, to seek out Martin's squadron. On 10 June, Hood located the French squadron, but Martin retreated to Golfe-Juan. There, his ships were becalmed and had to be taken in tow by their launches before they could anchor in suitable positions. Hood blockaded Martin's division in Golfe-Juan for five months and it was not until 2 November that it returned to Toulon.[4]

Order of Battle

Rear-Admiral Martin's squadron
Ship Guns Navy Commander Casualties Notes
Killed Wounded Total
Sans-Culottes 120 Captain Lapalisse
Rear-Admiral Martin		 - - -
Tonnant 80 Captain Cosmao-Kerjulien - - -
Généreux 74 Captain Louis - - -
Censeur 74 Captain Benoît - - -
Heureux 74 Captain Lacaille - - -
Timoléon 74 Captain Khrom - - -
Duquesne 74 Captain Allemand - - -
Junon 40 - - -
Friponne - - -
Sérieuse 32 - - -
Boudeuse 32 Lieutenant Charbonnier - - -
Badine 20 - - -
Alerte 10 - - -
Surveillante - - - Schooner
Jacobin 10 - - - Xebec, ex-Bonne Aventure.
Sources: Troude, vol.2 p. 367

Notes, sources and references

Notes

    Sources

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Troude, p.367
    2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Troude, p.368
    3. ↑ James, p.84
    4. ↑ Troude, p.369

    References