Action of 28 June 1803: Difference between revisions
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|conflict=Action of 28 June 1803 |
|conflict=Action of 28 June 1803 |
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|partof=the [[Blockade of Saint-Domingue]] |
|partof=the [[Blockade of Saint-Domingue]] |
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|image= |
|image=Fight of the Poursuivante mp3h9427.jpg |
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|image_size = 300px |
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|caption=Detail from the ''Fight of the Poursuivante against the British ship Hercules, 28 June 1803'': ''Poursuivante'' delivers her decisive raking broadside. [[Louis-Philippe Crépin]], 1819, [[Musée national de la Marine]] |
|caption=Detail from the ''Fight of the Poursuivante against the British ship Hercules, 28 June 1803'': ''Poursuivante'' delivers her decisive raking broadside. [[Louis-Philippe Crépin]], 1819, [[Musée national de la Marine]] |
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|date=28 June 1803 |
|date=28 June 1803 |
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|place=Off [[Môle-Saint-Nicolas]], Haiti |
|place=Off [[Môle-Saint-Nicolas]], Haiti |
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|result=Successful defence of ''Poursuivante'' |
|result=Successful defence of ''Poursuivante'' |
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Capture of ''Mignonne'' |
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|combatant1={{flagicon|France}} [[First French Republic|France]] |
|combatant1={{flagicon|France}} [[First French Republic|France]] |
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|combatant2={{flagcountry|Kingdom of Great Britain}} |
|combatant2={{flagcountry|Kingdom of Great Britain}} |
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|commander1=Captain [[Jean-Baptiste Philibert Willaumez|Jean-Baptiste Willaumez]]<br />Commander Jean-Pierre Bargeau |
|commander1=Captain [[Jean-Baptiste Philibert Willaumez|Jean-Baptiste Willaumez]]<br />Commander Jean-Pierre Bargeau |
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|commander2=Captain Henry William Bayntun<br /> Captain [[Charles Brisbane]]<br />Acting captain John B. Hills<ref name=james187 /> |
|commander2=Captain Henry William Bayntun<br /> Captain [[Charles Brisbane]]<br />Acting captain John B. Hills<ref name=james187 /> |
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|strength1=1 frigate<br/> |
|strength1=1 [[frigate]]<br /> |
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1 corvette |
1 [[corvette]] |
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|strength2=3 74-gun ships of the line |
|strength2=3 74-gun ships of the line |
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|casualties1=10 men killed |
|casualties1=1 corvette captured<br>10 men killed & 15 wounded |
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|casualties2=A few wounded |
|casualties2=A few killed and wounded |
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1 ship damaged |
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|campaignbox={{Campaignbox Haitian Revolution}} |
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}} |
}} |
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The ''' |
The '''action of 28 June 1803''' marked the opening shots<ref name=troude-3-287 /> of the [[Blockade of Saint-Domingue]] after the collapse of the [[Treaty of Amiens]] and the outbreak of the [[War of the Third Coalition]] in May 1803. |
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A French heavy frigate and a corvette, both partially armed [[en flûte]] and unaware of the recently begun war,<ref name=guerin304>Guérin, p.304</ref> met three British [[74-gun]] ships of the line. The corvette was overhauled and captured, but the frigate, sailing close to shore, managed to out-manoeuver her opponent and deliver a devastating [[raking fire|raking]] broadside that put her out of action. |
A French heavy frigate and a corvette, both partially armed [[en flûte]] and unaware of the recently begun war,<ref name=guerin304>Guérin, p.304</ref> met three British [[74-gun]] ships of the line. The corvette was overhauled and captured, but the frigate, sailing close to shore, managed to out-manoeuver her opponent and deliver a devastating [[raking fire|raking]] broadside that put her out of action. |
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The feat of a frigate |
The feat of a frigate managing to escape a ship of the line yielded high praise for Willaumez, who had commanded the frigate. A large painting by [[Louis-Philippe Crépin]] was commissioned in 1819 to commemorate the event. |
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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France had been in peace with Great Britain since the [[Treaty of Amiens]] in 1801, allowing her to consolidate her grasp on her colonies |
France had been in peace with Great Britain since the [[Treaty of Amiens]] in 1801, allowing her to consolidate her grasp on her [[French colonial empire|colonies overseas]]. This was particularly sensitive in Saint-Domingue, where the [[Haitian Revolution]] had raged since 1791. First Consul Bonaparte ordered the [[Saint-Domingue expedition]], under General [[Charles Leclerc (general, born 1772)|Leclerc]], to curtail the separatist tendencies of General [[Toussaint Louverture]]. Meanwhile, the Treaty of Amiens proved to be an unsuitable settlement of Franco-British differences; its application by both parties became erratic and tensions grew. In May 1803, Britain declared war on France, setting the [[War of the Third Coalition]] into motion.<ref>Guérin, p.300</ref> In late June, this news had yet to reach the French station of Saint-Domingue. On 27 June 1803, the 40-gun frigate [[French frigate Poursuivante (1798)|''Poursuivante'']], under [[Jean-Baptiste Philibert Willaumez|Willaumez]], departed [[Les Cayes]], bound for [[Cap-Haïtien]],<ref name=Hennequin242>Hennequin, p.242</ref> in the company of the 16-gun corvette ''[[French corvette Mignonne (1797)|Mignonne]]'',<ref name=troude-3-286>Troude, vol.3, p.286</ref> under Commander<ref>Fonds Marine, p.286</ref> Jean-Pierre Bargeau.<ref name=james187>James, p.187</ref> |
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⚫ | Neither of the ships was fully armed or manned:<ref name=james187 /> ''Poursuivante'', pierced to mount twenty-four [[24-pounder long gun]]s on her battery and sixteen [[8-pounder long gun|8-pounders]] on her castles,<ref name=roche359>Roche, p.359</ref> carried only 22 and 12 respectively and, more critically, had only 25 shots for each gun and a crew of only 150 men;<ref name="Hennequin243">Hennequin, p.243</ref> ''Mignonne'', nominally carrying sixteen [[18-pounder long gun]]s,<ref>Roche, p.185</ref><ref>Roche, p.309</ref> was equipped only with twelve [[12-pounder long gun|12-pounders]] and an 80-man complement.<ref name=james187 /> A 50-ship British convoy<ref name=guerin304 /><ref name=Hennequin242 /> was sailing off [[Môle-Saint-Nicolas]] under escort of three [[74-gun]] ships of the line: they were the 74-gun [[French ship Hercule (1797)|HMS ''Hercule'']], [[HMS Cumberland (1774)|''Cumberland'']] and [[HMS Goliath (1781)|''Goliath'']], under Captain Henry William Bayntun, Captain [[Charles Brisbane]] and acting captain John B. Hills respectively.<ref name=james187 /> In the early morning of 28 June 1803, the two formations came in view of one another.<ref name=troude-3-286 /> |
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Meanwhile, the Treaty of Amiens proved to be an unsuitable settlement of Franco-British differences; its application by both parties became erratic and tensions grew. In May 1803, Britain declared war on France, setting the [[War of the Third Coalition]] into motion.<ref>Guérin, p.300</ref> |
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⚫ | |||
In late June, these news had yet to reach the French station of Saint-Domingue. On 27 June 1803, the 40-gun frigate [[French frigate Poursuivante (1798)|''Poursuivante'']], under [[Jean-Baptiste Philibert Willaumez|Willaumez]], departed [[Les Cayes]], bound for [[Cap-Haïtien]],<ref name=Hennequin242>Hennequin, p.242</ref> in the company of the 16-gun corvette ''[[French corvette Mignonne (1797)|Mignonne]]'',<ref name=troude-3-286>Troude, vol.3, p.286</ref> under Commander<ref>Fonds Marine, p.286</ref> Jean-Pierre Bargeau.<ref name=james187>James, p.187</ref> Neither of the ships was fully armed or manned:<ref name=james187 /> ''Poursuivante'', pierced to mount twenty-four [[24-pounder long gun]]s on her battery and sixteen [[8-pounder long gun|8-pounders]] on her castles,<ref name=roche359>Roche, p.359</ref> carried only 22 and 12 respectively and, more critically, had only 25 shots for each gun and a crew of only 150 men;<ref name=Hennequin243>Hennequin, p.243</ref> ''Mignonne'', nominally carrying sixteen [[18-pounder long gun]]s,<ref>Roche, p.185</ref><ref>Roche, p.309</ref> was equipped only with twelve [[12-pounder long gun|12-pounders]] and a 80-man complement.<ref name=james187 /> |
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==Battle== |
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⚫ | A 50-ship British convoy<ref name=guerin304 /><ref name=Hennequin242 /> was sailing off [[Môle-Saint-Nicolas]] under escort of three [[74-gun]] ships of the line: they were the 74-gun [[French ship Hercule ( |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | Spotting two strange sails in-shore, the British escort detached to investigate<ref name=james187 /> and Willaumez soon identified the three 74s as British.<ref name=Hennequin242 /> Unaware of the outbreak of the war<ref name=guerin304 /><ref name=levot555>Levot, p.555</ref> but suspicious of the intentions of the British, Willaumez prepared a defence in case of attack.<ref name=Hennequin242 /> At eight, the 74-gun [[French ship Hercule (1797)|HMS ''Hercule'']] came in range; after signaling the other ships in her division, she hoisted the British flag, prompting ''Poursuivante'' to hoist the French colours.<ref name=Hennequin243 /> Meanwhile, ''Goliath'' chased ''Mignonne'' and taking advantage of the sea wind whereas the corvette was becalmed, quickly overhauled her; after a few token shots, ''Mignonne'' [[Striking the colours|struck her colours]] to her overwhelming opponent.<ref name=james187 /> |
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⚫ | At nine, ''Hercule'' fired a ball shot at ''Poursuivante'', initiating the battle.<ref name="Hennequin243"/> As ''Hercule'' closed to the shore to engage, she had less and less water under her keel and came into lighter and erratic winds;<ref name=james187 /> although these advantaged the shallower and more maneuverable frigate, ''Poursuivante'' lacked the ammunition to energetically answer ''Hercule''{{'}}s fire,<ref name=Hennequin243 /> and her diminished crew could not simultaneously man her batteries and handle her sails.<ref name=guerin306>Guérin, p.306</ref> On the other hand, because she had to ration her fire, ''Poursuivante'' aimed careful shots that soon caused significant damage to ''Hercule''{{'}}s rigging.<ref name=guerin305>Guérin, p.305</ref><ref name=james188 /> |
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⚫ | |||
Spotting two strange sails in-shore, the British escort detached to investigate<ref name=james187 /> and Willaumez soon identified the three 74s as British.<ref name=Hennequin242 /> Unaware of the outbreak of the war<ref name=guerin304 /><ref name=levot555>Levot, p.555</ref> but suspicious of the intentions of the British, Willaumez prepared a defence in case of attack.<ref name=Hennequin242 /> |
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⚫ | After two hours of mutual cannonade, at eleven,<ref name=Hennequin243 /> the wind fell and both ships almost came to a sudden halt,<ref name=Hennequin243 /> their main sailing resource now the gusts of wind from the shore.<ref name=guerin305 /> Taking advantage of this change in the weather, Willaumez ordered his gunners to cease fire and help manoeuver his frigate,<ref name=guerin306 /> quickly coming in position to rake ''Hercule'', only then firing a devastating broadside at her stern.<ref name=Hennequin243 /><ref name=guerin306 /> The damage and confusion on ''Hercule'' were such that, probably fearing to run aground,<ref name=troude-3-287>Troude, vol.3, p.287</ref><ref>James, p.</ref> she effectively dropped out of action.<ref name=Hennequin243 /> This allowed ''Poursuivante'' to reach the safety of [[Môle-Saint-Nicolas]],<ref name=james188>James, p.188</ref> cheered by the crowd and saluted by the artillery of the forts.<ref name=guerin306 /> |
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⚫ | At eight, the 74-gun [[French ship Hercule ( |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | At nine, '' |
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⚫ | After two hours of mutual cannonade, at eleven,<ref name=Hennequin243 /> the wind fell and both ships almost came to a sudden halt,<ref name=Hennequin243 /> their main sailing resource now the gusts of wind from the shore.<ref name=guerin305 /> Taking advantage of this change in the weather, Willaumez ordered his gunners to cease fire and help manoeuver his frigate,<ref name=guerin306 /> quickly coming in position to rake '' |
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== Aftermath == |
== Aftermath == |
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[[File:Poursuivante.jpg|thumb|Engraving of Crépin's painting.]] |
[[File:Fight of the Poursuivante.jpg|thumb|Engraving of Crépin's painting.]] |
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''Hercule''{{'}}s rigging had suffered considerably, but she only had a few wounded.<ref name=james188 /> Hills was forced to retire with his ship to Jamaica for repairs; {{HMS|Vanguard|1787|6}} replaced ''Hercule'' in Bayntun's squadron.<ref name=james188 /> Though ''Mignonne'' served briefly in the [[Royal Navy]], there is no record of her actually being commissioned; she grounded and was condemned in 1804. |
''Hercule''{{'}}s rigging had suffered considerably, but she only had a few wounded.<ref name=james188 /> Hills was forced to retire with his ship to Jamaica for repairs; {{HMS|Vanguard|1787|6}} replaced ''Hercule'' in Bayntun's squadron.<ref name=james188 /> Though ''Mignonne'' served briefly in the [[Royal Navy]], there is no record of her actually being commissioned; she grounded and was condemned in 1804. ''Poursuivante'' had ten men killed and fifteen wounded,<ref name=Hennequin243 /> her hull had sustained several shots and her rigging was much damaged.<ref name=Hennequin243 /> As Cap-Haïtien lacked the resources to repair the frigate, Willaumez had to sail her back to France.<ref name=Hennequin245>Hennequin, p.245</ref> |
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''Poursuivante'' had ten men killed and fifteen wounded,<ref name=Hennequin243 /> her hull had sustained several shots and her rigging was much damaged.<ref name=Hennequin243 /> As Cap-Haïtien lacked the resources to repair the frigate, Willaumez had to sail her back to France.<ref name=Hennequin245>Hennequin, p.245</ref> |
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⚫ | After Willaumez departed and sailed around the south of Cuba, a violent gust of wind dismasted ''Poursuivante'', forcing Willaumez to make a port call in Baltimore to repair his frigate.<ref name=Hennequin245 /> When ready, he departed the Chesapeake, avoided the British blockade and crossed the Atlantic, reaching Rochefort on 28 May 1804.<ref name=Hennequin245 /> There, he was intercepted by a British ship of the line, which he battled for 30 minutes before breaking off and finding shelter at [[Île-d'Aix]].<ref name=Hennequin245 /> ''Poursuivante'' hardly sailed again, and became a hulk in June 1806.<ref name=roche359 /> |
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Willaumez had been made a Knight in the Order of the [[Legion of Honour]] in February. He was promoted to Officer in June, and congratulated by Navy minister Decrès.<ref name=Hennequin245 /> A large painting by [[Louis-Philippe Crépin]] was commissioned in 1819 to commemorate the event;<ref name=Hennequin244>Hennequin, p.244</ref> it long decorated the office of the Minister of the Navy,<ref name=Hennequin244 /> and is now in display at the [[Musée national de la Marine]] in Paris.<ref>[http://www.patrimoine-histoire.fr/Patrimoine/Paris/Paris-Musee-de-la-Marine.htm www.patrimoine-histoire.fr]</ref> |
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⚫ | After Willaumez departed and sailed around the south of Cuba, a violent gust of wind dismasted ''Poursuivante'', forcing Willaumez to make a port call in Baltimore to repair his frigate.<ref name=Hennequin245 /> When ready, he departed the Chesapeake, avoided the British blockade and crossed the Atlantic, reaching Rochefort on 28 May 1804.<ref name=Hennequin245 /> There, he was intercepted by a British ship of the line, which he battled for 30 minutes before breaking off and finding shelter at [[Île-d'Aix]].<ref name=Hennequin245 /> ''Poursuivante'' hardly sailed again, and became a hulk in June 1806.<ref name=roche359 /> Willaumez had been made a Knight in the Order of the [[Legion of Honour]] in February. He was promoted to Officer in June, and congratulated by Navy minister Decrès.<ref name=Hennequin245 /> A large painting by [[Louis-Philippe Crépin]] was commissioned in 1819 to commemorate the event;<ref name=Hennequin244>Hennequin, p.244</ref> it long decorated the office of the Minister of the Navy,<ref name=Hennequin244 /> and is now in display at the [[Musée national de la Marine]] in Paris.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.patrimoine-histoire.fr/Patrimoine/Paris/Paris-Musee-de-la-Marine.htm|title=Musée de la Marine de Paris|website=www.patrimoine-histoire.fr}}</ref> |
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==Notes and References == |
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== |
==Notes== |
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{{Reflist|group=note}} |
{{Reflist|group=note}} |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist| |
{{Reflist|22em}} |
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=== Bibliography === |
=== Bibliography === |
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* {{cite book|title=Histoire maritime de France|last=Guérin|first=Léon| |
* {{cite book|title=Histoire maritime de France|last=Guérin|first=Léon|author-link=Léon Guérin|year=1857|publisher=Dufour et Mulat|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=guFcnon3mZ4C|language=fr|volume=6}} |
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* {{cite book|title=Biographie maritime ou notices historiques sur la vie et les campagnes des marins célèbres français et étrangers|last=Hennequin|first=Joseph François Gabriel|year=1835|publisher=Regnault éditeur|location=Paris|url= |
* {{cite book|title=Biographie maritime ou notices historiques sur la vie et les campagnes des marins célèbres français et étrangers|last=Hennequin|first=Joseph François Gabriel|year=1835|publisher=Regnault éditeur|location=Paris|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vto5AAAAcAAJ|language=fr|volume=1}} |
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*{{cite book|last=James|first=William| |
* {{cite book|last=James|first=William|author-link=William James (naval historian)|year=2002|orig-year=1827|title=The Naval History of Great Britain, Volume 3, 1800–1805|publisher=Conway Maritime Press|location=London|isbn=0-85177-907-7}} |
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* {{cite book|title=Les gloires maritimes de la France: notices biographiques sur les plus célèbres marins|last=Levot|first=Prosper| |
* {{cite book|title=Les gloires maritimes de la France: notices biographiques sur les plus célèbres marins|last=Levot|first=Prosper|author-link=Prosper Levot|year=1866|publisher=Bertrand|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=08O_XGLO43QC|language=fr}} |
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*{{Cite book|first=Onésime-Joachim|last=Troude| |
* {{Cite book|first=Onésime-Joachim|last=Troude|author-link=Onésime-Joachim Troude|year=1867|publisher=Challamel ainé|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rhIR5D5quFYC|title=Batailles navales de la France|language=fr|volume=3}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}} |
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* Fonds Marine. Campagnes (opérations ; divisions et stations navales ; missions diverses). Inventaire de la sous-série Marine BB4. Tome premier : BB4 1 à 482 (1790-1826) [http://www.servicehistorique.sga.defense.gouv.fr/contenu/module-dc/functions/dc/attached/FRSHD_PUB_00000226_dc/FRSHD_PUB_00000226_dc_att-FRSHD_PUB_00000226_01.pdf] |
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[[Category:Conflicts in 1803]] |
[[Category:Conflicts in 1803]] |
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[[Category:Military history of Haiti]] |
[[Category:Military history of Haiti]] |
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[[Category:Wars involving |
[[Category:Naval battles of the Napoleonic Wars involving France]] |
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[[Category:Naval battles involving |
[[Category:Naval battles of the Napoleonic Wars involving the United Kingdom]] |
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[[Category:Naval battles involving Great Britain]] |
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[[Category:Naval battles of the French Revolutionary Wars]] |
Latest revision as of 19:04, 20 July 2024
Action of 28 June 1803 | |||||||
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Part of the Blockade of Saint-Domingue | |||||||
Detail from the Fight of the Poursuivante against the British ship Hercules, 28 June 1803: Poursuivante delivers her decisive raking broadside. Louis-Philippe Crépin, 1819, Musée national de la Marine | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
France | Great Britain | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Captain Jean-Baptiste Willaumez Commander Jean-Pierre Bargeau |
Captain Henry William Bayntun Captain Charles Brisbane Acting captain John B. Hills[1] | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
1 frigate | 3 74-gun ships of the line | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
1 corvette captured 10 men killed & 15 wounded |
A few killed and wounded 1 ship damaged |
The action of 28 June 1803 marked the opening shots[2] of the Blockade of Saint-Domingue after the collapse of the Treaty of Amiens and the outbreak of the War of the Third Coalition in May 1803.
A French heavy frigate and a corvette, both partially armed en flûte and unaware of the recently begun war,[3] met three British 74-gun ships of the line. The corvette was overhauled and captured, but the frigate, sailing close to shore, managed to out-manoeuver her opponent and deliver a devastating raking broadside that put her out of action.
The feat of a frigate managing to escape a ship of the line yielded high praise for Willaumez, who had commanded the frigate. A large painting by Louis-Philippe Crépin was commissioned in 1819 to commemorate the event.
Background
[edit]France had been in peace with Great Britain since the Treaty of Amiens in 1801, allowing her to consolidate her grasp on her colonies overseas. This was particularly sensitive in Saint-Domingue, where the Haitian Revolution had raged since 1791. First Consul Bonaparte ordered the Saint-Domingue expedition, under General Leclerc, to curtail the separatist tendencies of General Toussaint Louverture. Meanwhile, the Treaty of Amiens proved to be an unsuitable settlement of Franco-British differences; its application by both parties became erratic and tensions grew. In May 1803, Britain declared war on France, setting the War of the Third Coalition into motion.[4] In late June, this news had yet to reach the French station of Saint-Domingue. On 27 June 1803, the 40-gun frigate Poursuivante, under Willaumez, departed Les Cayes, bound for Cap-Haïtien,[5] in the company of the 16-gun corvette Mignonne,[6] under Commander[7] Jean-Pierre Bargeau.[1]
Neither of the ships was fully armed or manned:[1] Poursuivante, pierced to mount twenty-four 24-pounder long guns on her battery and sixteen 8-pounders on her castles,[8] carried only 22 and 12 respectively and, more critically, had only 25 shots for each gun and a crew of only 150 men;[9] Mignonne, nominally carrying sixteen 18-pounder long guns,[10][11] was equipped only with twelve 12-pounders and an 80-man complement.[1] A 50-ship British convoy[3][5] was sailing off Môle-Saint-Nicolas under escort of three 74-gun ships of the line: they were the 74-gun HMS Hercule, Cumberland and Goliath, under Captain Henry William Bayntun, Captain Charles Brisbane and acting captain John B. Hills respectively.[1] In the early morning of 28 June 1803, the two formations came in view of one another.[6]
Battle
[edit]Spotting two strange sails in-shore, the British escort detached to investigate[1] and Willaumez soon identified the three 74s as British.[5] Unaware of the outbreak of the war[3][12] but suspicious of the intentions of the British, Willaumez prepared a defence in case of attack.[5] At eight, the 74-gun HMS Hercule came in range; after signaling the other ships in her division, she hoisted the British flag, prompting Poursuivante to hoist the French colours.[9] Meanwhile, Goliath chased Mignonne and taking advantage of the sea wind whereas the corvette was becalmed, quickly overhauled her; after a few token shots, Mignonne struck her colours to her overwhelming opponent.[1]
At nine, Hercule fired a ball shot at Poursuivante, initiating the battle.[9] As Hercule closed to the shore to engage, she had less and less water under her keel and came into lighter and erratic winds;[1] although these advantaged the shallower and more maneuverable frigate, Poursuivante lacked the ammunition to energetically answer Hercule's fire,[9] and her diminished crew could not simultaneously man her batteries and handle her sails.[13] On the other hand, because she had to ration her fire, Poursuivante aimed careful shots that soon caused significant damage to Hercule's rigging.[14][15]
After two hours of mutual cannonade, at eleven,[9] the wind fell and both ships almost came to a sudden halt,[9] their main sailing resource now the gusts of wind from the shore.[14] Taking advantage of this change in the weather, Willaumez ordered his gunners to cease fire and help manoeuver his frigate,[13] quickly coming in position to rake Hercule, only then firing a devastating broadside at her stern.[9][13] The damage and confusion on Hercule were such that, probably fearing to run aground,[2][16] she effectively dropped out of action.[9] This allowed Poursuivante to reach the safety of Môle-Saint-Nicolas,[15] cheered by the crowd and saluted by the artillery of the forts.[13]
Aftermath
[edit]Hercule's rigging had suffered considerably, but she only had a few wounded.[15] Hills was forced to retire with his ship to Jamaica for repairs; HMS Vanguard replaced Hercule in Bayntun's squadron.[15] Though Mignonne served briefly in the Royal Navy, there is no record of her actually being commissioned; she grounded and was condemned in 1804. Poursuivante had ten men killed and fifteen wounded,[9] her hull had sustained several shots and her rigging was much damaged.[9] As Cap-Haïtien lacked the resources to repair the frigate, Willaumez had to sail her back to France.[17]
After Willaumez departed and sailed around the south of Cuba, a violent gust of wind dismasted Poursuivante, forcing Willaumez to make a port call in Baltimore to repair his frigate.[17] When ready, he departed the Chesapeake, avoided the British blockade and crossed the Atlantic, reaching Rochefort on 28 May 1804.[17] There, he was intercepted by a British ship of the line, which he battled for 30 minutes before breaking off and finding shelter at Île-d'Aix.[17] Poursuivante hardly sailed again, and became a hulk in June 1806.[8] Willaumez had been made a Knight in the Order of the Legion of Honour in February. He was promoted to Officer in June, and congratulated by Navy minister Decrès.[17] A large painting by Louis-Philippe Crépin was commissioned in 1819 to commemorate the event;[18] it long decorated the office of the Minister of the Navy,[18] and is now in display at the Musée national de la Marine in Paris.[19]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h James, p.187
- ^ a b Troude, vol.3, p.287
- ^ a b c Guérin, p.304
- ^ Guérin, p.300
- ^ a b c d Hennequin, p.242
- ^ a b Troude, vol.3, p.286
- ^ Fonds Marine, p.286
- ^ a b Roche, p.359
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Hennequin, p.243
- ^ Roche, p.185
- ^ Roche, p.309
- ^ Levot, p.555
- ^ a b c d Guérin, p.306
- ^ a b Guérin, p.305
- ^ a b c d James, p.188
- ^ James, p.
- ^ a b c d e Hennequin, p.245
- ^ a b Hennequin, p.244
- ^ "Musée de la Marine de Paris". www.patrimoine-histoire.fr.
Bibliography
[edit]- Guérin, Léon (1857). Histoire maritime de France (in French). Vol. 6. Dufour et Mulat.
- Hennequin, Joseph François Gabriel (1835). Biographie maritime ou notices historiques sur la vie et les campagnes des marins célèbres français et étrangers (in French). Vol. 1. Paris: Regnault éditeur.
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