102:
535:, the bows colliding and rebounding and the French stern swinging towards the British. At his signal, the soldiers and sailors crowded onto the deck and railings, ready to leap onto the British ship and engage her crew in hand-to-hand combat. With seconds remaining, Seymour ordered his gunners to fire. The double-shotted broadside, fired at point-blank range, killed or wounded over 100 men, including most of the officers. Only four guns were still serviceable on
114:
39:
701:, none of the subsequent French efforts to transport supplies or soldiers to Martinique were successful, and a large British expeditionary force was able to overwhelm the island's poorly-supplied defenders in a brief campaign. The tightening blockade also affected other French colonies, preventing the despatch of food and military supplies and contributing to the captures of both Île de France and
337:, situated on the Northern Biscay coast. Watching Brest were a large number of warships, divided into the inshore squadron designed to watch the coast directly and formed principally of frigates and small fast vessels, and the offshore squadron formed from heavy ships of the line and tasked with intercepting French fleets and battle squadrons spotted by the inshore squadron.
487:, trying to cross the British ship's stern as she pulled ahead. Seymour countered by slowing his ship and the French rigging became tangled in the British, the firing continuing as the crews worked to free their ships from one another. Separating a few minutes later, the frigates continued their close-range duel.
349:
was one of the more important French islands in the West Indies, but by late 1808 the island's economy had been crippled by the
British blockade, and food stocks, military supplies and morale were all running low. In the summer a French dispatch vessel was intercepted by British warships, warning of
286:
The battle was a blow for the French defenders of
Martinique, who were isolated from France and suffering from shortages of military and food supplies. Although another supply frigate broke through the blockade and arrived in December 1808, the island was surrounded by British bases and was invaded
444:
was close enough to fire her bow-chasers, small guns positioned at the front of the ship, at the French frigate and was attacked in turn from the French stern chasers. Certain that his quarry was an enemy, Seymour launched signal rockets in the hope of attracting attention from other ships of the
270:
from boarding the
British ship and using their superior numbers to overwhelm her with heavy and accurate gunfire. The battle lasted more than six hours and the French suffered over 130 men killed, including the captain and many of the soldiers aboard, before the crew of
340:
The efficiency of the
British blockade was such that communication and reinforcement between France and her colonies was dangerous for the ships involved and so was severely limited. This led to shortages and disaffection among the French colonists, especially in the
231:, a strategy designed to prevent ships from entering or leaving French harbours, thus eliminating foreign trade with France and damaging the French economy as well as cutting France off from her overseas colonies. The French ship in the action,
598:
s were in immediate danger of collapse. British casualties in the engagement were severe, with 19 killed and 51 wounded, but French losses were several times larger, with 135 dead, including Pinsum, and 102 wounded.
526:
gradually closed on one another, Pinsum ordering the soldiers on his frigate to board the
British vessel and capture her, while Seymour prepared for the eventuality by loading his cannon with two roundshot and his
251:
had not even cleared the French coast when she was discovered by a patrolling
British frigate of the inshore squadron, a unit tasked with watching the entrance to the French Biscay ports, principally
1064:
333:, intended to intercept and capture any ships attempting to enter or leave French harbours. The greatest French Atlantic seaport, and consequently the most important target for the Royal Navy, was
428:
saw a frigate moving rapidly westwards. As they had not been informed of any French movements at that time, the battery fired two warning shots at the ship to establish her identity. The frigate,
680:
arrived, a statement that contradicts not only
British testimony, but also Dedé's own insistence on the night of the battle that he had not seen any other ships during the action. Historian
614:, although there were suggestions that he should receive a knighthood. In addition, first lieutenant Goddard Blennerhasset was promoted to commander, the junior officers were advanced and
475:
fell harmlessly into the sea and both frigates performed a complete circle before returning to their previous course. Seymour then swung back towards the French ship, bringing
1059:
386:'s intentions before she sailed. They were however prepared for any French movement and were launching regular patrols, in particular two ships under the command of captains
375:. Supplies were loaded, including over 1,000 barrels of flour and 106 soldiers to reinforce the garrison at Martinique. Secrecy was tight: to prevent the British discovering
558:
unopposed, the two frigates tangled together by their rigging. Seymour's most immediate problem was to secure his prize. Many of the unwounded prisoners were transferred to
483:, which replied in kind. For 25 minutes, the frigates continued firing on one another from close range as they sailed westwards. At 21:40, Pinsum again attempted to rake
317:
had lasted five years. Although the French had conquered large swathes of mainland Europe, they were unable to exert any significant influence at sea, where the
British
518:
in her disorganised state, turning sharply to starboard but coming to a sudden halt as her own mizzenmast collapsed. With their ability to manoeuvre severely hindered,
287:
and captured in
January 1809. Other French colonies were seized over the next two years as the blockade cut off French communications with their overseas territories.
602:
In
Britain, Seymour's victory was rewarded: Seymour himself was presented with a commemorative medal, £100 (with £625 to share among the wounded) and the
440:
immediately gave chase. Pinsum followed his orders to avoid combat and made all sail south-west, intending to escape into the Atlantic. By 21:00,
1069:
325:
in October 1805. A vital part of Royal Navy strategy was the implementation of a close blockade of the major French seaports by squadrons of
382:
The French efforts to hide the frigate's mission and departure were initially successful: the British ships in the area were unaware of
660:
was absent when the frigate was brought to action and again Seymour was able to capture his opponent after a fierce encounter in the
391:
416:
won would be shared equally across both crews. After several weeks sailing in tandem, the frigates separated in early November.
279:. Within minutes two additional British vessels arrived, attracted by the sound of gunfire, and helped secure the badly damaged
350:
the desperate state of the island's defences; similar messages that did reach France safely prompted an urgent response by the
684:
suggests that this was a deliberate attempt to appeal to the French naval authorities to avoid responsibility for the defeat.
345:, where they were surrounded by hostile British harbours and constantly raided and blockaded by British ships. The island of
630:
profiting from the prize money. Four decades later the battle was among the actions recognised by a clasp attached to the
445:
inshore squadron that might intercept the French ship, and he received answering flashes from the north-east as Captain
631:
1033:
1011:
992:
970:
951:
436:, then approaching Groix from the west. Within a few minutes, Seymour's lookouts had spotted the French frigate and
696:
412:
15 years earlier, and they had agreed to hunt together, communicating regularly and with an understanding that all
387:
292:
130:
980:
681:
379:' mission, even the local shore defences were not informed of the frigate's departure early on 10 November 1808.
644:
358:
297:
233:
185:
432:, replied with her recognition signal and the firing stopped, but the sound had attracted the attention of HMS
562:
under guard and at 01:05, the frigates were cut apart by severing the tangled rigging. Ten minutes later, the
1074:
692:
245:
with a cargo of flour and military supplies, including over 100 soldiers to reinforce the island's garrison.
554:
for the next 80 minutes, almost without reply, until 12:20, when the British were able to board and seize
1054:
51:
408:
respectively. Both captains were experienced and veteran officers: Seymour had lost an arm at the
227:. The action formed part of the blockade of the French Biscay ports during the war by the British
661:
446:
409:
302:
583:, arrived, drawn by the gunfire. Together, the three British ships removed the prisoners from
424:
At 18:42 on 10 November 1808, the garrison of a French defensive gun battery on the island of
839:
939:
880:
539:, which was set alight in three places due to the proximity of the British muzzle flashes.
491:
again pulled ahead at 22:05, Seymour successfully crossing the bow of the French ship from
266:
and brought her to battle, closing with the French ship but preventing the soldiers aboard
467:
her. Seymour was prepared for the manoeuvre and countered it by turning sharply away from
367:, was selected to carry supplies to Martinique and given a full complement of 330 men, 40
8:
603:
563:
395:
322:
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118:
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and reduced his speed, turning sharply in front of the British ship in an attempt to
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638:
had been severely damaged in the engagement and repairs took 71 days to complete at
531:
with double loads of grapeshot. At 23:00, Pinsum suddenly swung his frigate towards
668:' surviving French officer, Lieutenant Joseph Dedé, Dedé later swore in court that
255:, and intercepting any ships seeking to enter or leave the harbours. This frigate,
139:
47:
1021:
492:
314:
216:
30:
691:
to reach the Caribbean may have had an effect on the outcome of the subsequent
372:
135:
106:
101:
642:. Five months later, Seymour and Maitland were specially selected to hunt the
1048:
634:, awarded upon application to all British participants still living in 1847.
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252:
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74:
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607:
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By 21:15, Pinsum realised that his heavily laden ship could not outrun
346:
318:
242:
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653:
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342:
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had lost her remaining masts shortly after she had been boarded and
38:
944:
The Royal Navy, A History from the Earliest Times to 1900, Volume V
639:
611:
502:
French fire was taking its toll on the British ship, and at 22:20,
1065:
Naval battles of the Napoleonic Wars involving the United Kingdom
510:, smashing the wheel and impeding Seymour's command of his ship.
364:
326:
295:
were active in this campaign, capturing a second French frigate,
220:
181:
155:
368:
113:
425:
572:
appeared out of the darkness and at 01:30 a second frigate,
687:
The failure of the supplies and reinforcements carried on
985:
The Naval History of Great Britain, Volume 5, 1808–1811
695:
in January 1809. Except for one reinforcement frigate,
499:
side to resume the close range exchange of broadsides.
1060:
Naval battles of the Napoleonic Wars involving France
506:'s mizzenmast was shot through and collapsed on the
514:began to pull ahead and Pinsum attempted to rake
1046:
495:and raking her before swinging back along the
223:defeated and captured a French frigate in the
16:Minor naval engagement of the Napoleonic Wars
664:. Although Seymour praised the bravery of
960:
879:
838:
802:
800:
479:alongside and pouring a heavy fire into
1020:
1001:
866:
864:
848:. 15 November 1808. pp. 1554–1555.
816:
814:
812:
790:
788:
769:
767:
618:was purchased by the Royal Navy as HMS
1047:
938:
832:
757:
755:
753:
1070:Military history of the Bay of Biscay
979:
911:
852:
797:
776:
363:, stationed to the south of Brest at
920:
902:
893:
889:. 26 January 1849. pp. 236–245.
861:
823:
809:
785:
764:
741:
215:was a minor naval engagement of the
44:Capture of La Thetis, Nov. 10th 1808
873:
750:
732:
723:
714:
237:, was destined for the French held
13:
14:
1086:
587:and effected improvised repairs:
672:had not surrendered until after
112:
100:
37:
961:Gardiner, Robert, ed. (2001) .
656:, in the Bay of Biscay. Again,
275:was able to storm and capture
1:
932:
308:
542:
321:had been dominant since the
283:for the journey to Britain.
7:
632:Naval General Service Medal
10:
1091:
213:action of 10 November 1808
24:Action of 10 November 1808
987:. Conway Maritime Press.
419:
201:135 killed, 102 wounded,
192:
149:
124:
93:
57:
36:
28:
23:
1028:. Constable Publishers.
708:
392:Frederick Lewis Maitland
963:The Victory of Seapower
1006:. Chatham Publishing.
946:. Chatham Publishing.
693:invasion of Martinique
662:action of 6 April 1809
410:Glorious First of June
313:By November 1808, the
303:action of 6 April 1809
125:Commanders and leaders
1002:Wareham, Tom (2001).
940:Clowes, William Laird
219:, in which a British
198:19 killed, 51 wounded
193:Casualties and losses
1075:November 1808 events
550:continued firing on
449:joined the chase in
965:. Caxton Editions.
471:so that the French
371:and a new captain,
323:Battle of Trafalgar
886:The London Gazette
845:The London Gazette
1055:Conflicts in 1808
1004:The Star Captains
331:ships of the line
209:
208:
89:
88:
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1039:
1026:The Sea Warriors
1022:Woodman, Richard
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65:10 November 1808
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48:Thomas Whitcombe
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622:, the crews of
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388:Michael Seymour
315:Napoleonic Wars
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293:Michael Seymour
217:Napoleonic Wars
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131:Michael Seymour
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85:British victory
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31:Napoleonic Wars
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94:Belligerents
43:
29:Part of the
18:
881:"No. 20939"
840:"No. 16201"
508:quarterdeck
414:prize money
352:French Navy
239:West Indian
1049:Categories
933:References
703:Guadeloupe
698:Amphitrite
529:carronades
347:Martinique
319:Royal Navy
309:Background
243:Martinique
241:island of
229:Royal Navy
178:in support
983:(2002) .
942:(1997) .
705:in 1810.
574:HMS
567:HMS
543:Aftermath
497:starboard
473:broadside
343:Caribbean
301:, at the
1024:(2001).
650:en route
640:Plymouth
636:Amethyst
628:Amethyst
612:Limerick
604:freedoms
593:Amethyst
560:Amethyst
548:Amethyst
533:Amethyst
520:Amethyst
516:Amethyst
504:Amethyst
489:Amethyst
485:Amethyst
477:Amethyst
461:Amethyst
442:Amethyst
438:Amethyst
434:Amethyst
398:Amethyst
327:frigates
289:Amethyst
273:Amethyst
259:Amethyst
205:captured
161:Amethyst
150:Strength
70:Location
678:Shannon
674:Triumph
658:Emerald
624:Emerald
576:Shannon
569:Triumph
453:Triumph
405:Emerald
365:Lorient
262:chased
221:frigate
182:frigate
175:Shannon
168:Triumph
164:, with
156:frigate
142:†
1032:
1010:
991:
969:
950:
689:Thétis
670:Thétis
666:Thétis
645:Niémen
616:Thétis
589:Thétis
585:Thétis
564:74-gun
556:Thétis
552:Thétis
537:Thétis
524:Thétis
512:Thétis
481:Thétis
469:Thétis
430:Thétis
420:Battle
384:Thétis
377:Thétis
369:cannon
360:Thétis
298:Niémen
281:Thétis
277:Thétis
268:Thétis
264:Thétis
249:Thétis
234:Thétis
203:Thétis
186:Thétis
138:
82:Result
709:Notes
620:Brune
595:'
426:Groix
335:Brest
253:Brest
46:, by
1030:ISBN
1008:ISBN
989:ISBN
967:ISBN
948:ISBN
676:and
626:and
610:and
608:Cork
522:and
493:port
465:rake
451:HMS
403:HMS
401:and
396:HMS
390:and
329:and
257:HMS
211:The
173:HMS
171:and
166:HMS
159:HMS
62:Date
652:to
606:of
52:NMM
1051::
883:.
863:^
842:.
811:^
799:^
787:^
766:^
752:^
648:,
456:.
394:,
354:.
305:.
50:.
1038:.
1016:.
997:.
975:.
956:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
