Action of 24 February 1780
Action of 24 February 1780 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part of the American War of Independence | |||||||
Plan of the movements made by the French ship Prothée to protect its convoy while it is attacked by several English ships off Madeira on 24 February 1780. | |||||||
| |||||||
Belligerents | |||||||
Great Britain | France | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Robert Manners | Du Chilleau de La Roche | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
3 ships of the line |
2 Ships of the line 2 Frigates Convoy of 20 transports | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
unknown |
1 ship of the line captured, 3 transports captured & 1,000 prisoner of war |
The action of 24 February 1780 was a minor naval battle that took place off the island of Madeira during the American Revolutionary War.[1] A French convoy was intercepted and pursued by a British Royal Navy squadron ending with the French 64-gun ship Protée being captured along with three transports.[2]
Events
- Background
In early 1780, the
On 16 February 1780, a French convoy with troops and ammunition bound for
- Action
On 23 February, off the island of Madeira, the convoy met
Hopelessly outnumbered and out-gunned, Protée struck while Charmante returned to Lorient, arriving there on 3 March.[5] Three merchantmen were also captured.
- Aftermath
Court-martialled for the loss of his ship, Du Chilleau was honourably acquitted.[4]
For the British the booty was substantial, as well as the three transports, Protée was carrying £60,000 worth of silver with the prize money subsequently shared.
Protée was commissioned in the Royal Navy as the
References
- Citations
- Bibliography
- Roche, Jean-Michel (2005). Dictionnaire des bâtiments de la flotte de guerre française de Colbert à nos jours. Vol. 1. Group Retozel-Maury Millau. OCLC 165892922. (1671-1870)
- Troude, Onésime-Joachim (1867). Batailles navales de la France (in French). Vol. 2. Challamel ainé.
- Winfield, Rif (2007). British Warships in the Age of Sail 1714-1792: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 9781783469253.