Action of 15 September 1782

In early 1782, Captain Latouche-Tréville assumed command of Aigle, which, along with the frigate Gloire, ferried funds and equipment for the fleet of Admiral Vaudreil. On 5 September 1782 Aigle and Gloire encountered the recently acquired British ship Hector, a former French ship of the line which had been severely damaged and then captured at the Battle of the Saintes. Hector managed to escape but she was damaged further and later sank in the 1782 Central Atlantic hurricane.

Aigle and Gloire captured HMS Racoon off the Delaware River on 12 September 1782.[1] Latouche hoisted signals requesting a pilot, but none was forthcoming. At 2100, the division dropped anchor and Gloire sent a boat to Lewistown to request a pilot, but the boat did not return.[2]

On 13 September a small British squadron consisting of HMS Vestal, HMS Bonetta, and the prize Sophie,[Note 1] led by Captain George Elphinstone in HMS Warwick, and HMS Lion sighted the three vessels anchored in the Delaware River off Cape Henlopen Light. The British set out in chase; Captain George Elphinstone, in the 50-gun ship Warwick dispatched the lighter vessels 28-gun frigate Vestal, the sloop Bonetta and the Sophie under command of Richard Keats as they were to traverse shallow waters.

Chased by the British division, Latouche attempted to escape into shallow waters without a pilot, but then discovered that Racoon had had a pilot, and offered him 500 Louis d'or to lead the frigates. However, when she entered the safe channel, Aigle found it interdicted by the British, and diverted into a secondary channel, which she found to be barred by a sandbank. The British dropped anchor, waiting for the high tide. Meanwhile, Gloire's boat finally returned with a pilot, who informed Latouche that his situation was hopeless. Latouche then started evacuating his guests and funds from the frigate all through the afternoon and night.[Note 2] Two British boats attempted to cut away Gloire's cutter, and Aigle' longboat had to intervene with musket fire.[2]

On 14, around 1000, the British sent a cartel to offer an exchange of prisoners. Latouche agreed and released Racoon' captain, Lieutenant Nagle. Soon after, British boats started advancing, and Latouche attempted to retreat deeper into the channel and hopefully lighten his frigates enough so she could sail over the sandbank.[3] Both Gloire and Aigle ran aground, but Gloire managed to cross, while Aigle settled. Racoon crossed the sandbank with no difficulty.

Gloire succeeded in getting so far up the river that she could not be attacked with any prospect of success, the British ships had to traverse the shallows having no pilot on board.[4] Aigle which now had most of Racoon's crew was soon grounded while the Vestal and Bonetta, drawing less water, were dispatched to attack the French frigate. The Vestal ran aground on the starboard quarter of the Aigle, the Bonetta anchoring within 200 yards of her larboard quarter, while the Sophie anchored under her stern.

Latouche had some of her guns thrown overboard and had cut away her masts in an attempt to refloat Aigle, but to no avail. With the descending tide, Aigle settled on the side, rendering her remaining artillery useless. Latouche then started evacuating the frigate and had holes bored in her hull, after which he remained with her and struck her colours on 15 September.[5] [Note 3] Despite the attempts to scuttle Aigle, the British were able to refloat her and took her into service under her own name. Gloire and Racoon escaped.[6]

The British captured along with the Aigle all of Racoon's crew. Aigle had had on board some senior French officers, who escaped ashore, as did the now-wealthy pilot. The French officers who escaped included comte de Rochambeau (commander of the French army), vicomte de Laval, Duke Laurun, Viscount de Fleury, and some others. They took most of the treasure the ships were carrying, as well.[7]

British were able to re-float Aigle and took her into service as HMS Aigle . Comte de La Touche, along with several noblemen that included two of marquis de Lafayette's family, as well 600 sailors and troops were captured by the crew of the Royal naval vessels, helped by a number of British troops who had arrived very late in the action. Comte de La Touche-Tréville remained a prisoner for the rest of the war's duration. Elphinstone allowed Latouche and his mistress to reunite.[5]

Notes

Citations

References

• Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
• Demerliac, Alain (1996) La Marine De Louis XVI: Nomenclature Des Navires Français De 1774 À 1792. (Nice: Éditions OMEGA). ISBN 2-906381-23-3
• Hepper, David J. (1994). British Warship Losses in the Age of Sail, 1650-1859. Rotherfield: Jean Boudriot. ISBN 0-948864-30-3.
• Monaque, Rémi (2000). Les aventures de Louis-René de Latouche-Tréville, compagnon de La Fayette et commandant de l'Hermione (in French). Paris: SPM.