Action of 18 October 1782

The Action of 18 October 1782 was a minor naval engagement of the American Revolutionary War, in which the French 74-gun ship of the line Scipion, accompanied by a frigate, was chased by two Royal Navy ships of the line, HMS London and Torbay. Outmanoeuvring her larger opponents, Scipion obtained a favourable position that allowed her to rake HMS London, causing severe damage and escaping.

Action of 18 October 1782
Part of the American Revolutionary War

Combat du Scipion contre le London, Rossel de Crecy
Date18-19 October 1782
Location
off Hispaniola, Caribbean Sea
19°11′N 69°19′W
Result British victory
Belligerents
 Great Britain  France
Commanders and leaders
James Kempthorne Nicolas de Grimouard
Strength
2 ships of the line 1 ship of the line
1 frigate
Casualties and losses
11 killed
75 wounded
1 ship of the line damaged		 15 killed
46 wounded
550 captured
1 ship of the line sunk

The British resumed the chase, and Scipion struck a rock in Samaná Bay, becoming a total loss.[1]

Louis XVI made Grimouard a count after the battle, and commissioned a painting of the action from Rossel.[2]

Sources and references

Notes

    Citations

    1. Gardiner, Robert (1996). Navies and the American Revolution. Naval Institute Press. pp. 127. ISBN 9781557506238.
    2. Contenson (1934), p. 187.

    Bibliography


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