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Foreign News
January 7, 1799
The Gazette
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
British squadron under Commodore Warren captures French 80-gun ship Hoche and three frigates off Ireland on October 12, preventing invasion. Additional French frigate Resolue captured by Melampus on October 13; others driven ashore or captured.
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More Good News!
By Capt. Flint, arrived at Salem, with foreign gazettes, six days later than before received.
Destruction of the Brest Fleet!
OFFICIAL ACCOUNTS.
FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE EXTRA
OCT. 21.
THE Lords of the Admiralty have received the following Dispatches of Commodore John B. Warren:
On board of the Canada, Lough-Swilly, Oct. 16.
SIR,
In compliance with your orders, which I received by the Kangaroo brig: I sailed with my ship the Canada, of 74 guns, the Robust of 74, the Foudroyant, of 80, and Magnanime, of 44, to the heights of Arranhead. On the 10th inst. were joined by the Melpomene, of 44, and the Doris of 38.
The latter I ordered to cruize between the isle of Tory and Rosses in search of the enemy. The same evening were joined by the Amelia of 38, which had parted with the Ethalion of 38, Anson of 44, and Sylph of 18, which vessels had been carefully observing the manoeuvres of the French since Sept. 17.
On the 11th we fell in with these vessels: and soon after on the NW of us got sight of the enemy's squadron, consisting of one 80 gun ship, 8 frigates, a brig and a schooner. I made the signal for a general chase, and to form the line of battle as our ships came up with them, which however we did not do till the 12th, owing to a heavy sea and our enemy's being to windward. Notwithstanding the severity of the weather, we continued the chase through the 11th, day and the night. At half past five o'clock on the morning of the 12th, we saw the enemy not far from us. They formed a close line of battle, and advanced on us on our starboard side—but we did not meet till 7 o'clock, as the chase had scattered my vessels. I made the signal for the Robust to lead and engage, which was instantly obeyed, and the other ships formed after her.
The action commenced twenty minutes before 8 o'clock, the Rosses bearing 15 miles SSW of us. At 11 o'clock the Hoche surrendered, after a gallant defence: all the frigates at that moment fled. A signal was made for pursuing them; and in five hours after, three of them were captured. The remaining five for that time escaped: All the frigates, as well as the ship of the line, were new, & full of troops, provisions, ammunition, &c. to forward their designs on Ireland. With pleasure I observe, that the behaviour of all my officers and sailors was such as convinced the warmest affection for their king and country. I left Capt. Thornbrough with the command of the Magnanime, Ethalion, and Amelia, to take charge of the prizes and conduct them to port. I expect him in every moment. I have the honour to be, &c.
J. B. WARREN.
P. S. The following ships were in the battle, viz. Canada, Robust, Foudroyant, Magnanime, Ethalion, Melampus and Amelia.
The Anson did not arrive till after the action—as she had in the chase, carried away a top gallant mast. I have received my lieutenant, Turguand, to take charge of the Hoche.
Commodore Warren, in another letter of the same date, to Lord Castlereagh, says, that among the vessels of the enemy which escaped, was a brig supposed to have Napper Tandy on board: that he was of opinion the fugitive ships could not reach France, as every one was more or less damaged in masts and rigging, and had to sustain a heavy gale the day after the action.—Many papers, &c. were thrown overboard, from the ships that surrendered. Several troops were on board.
The London Gazette also contains an official account of the capture of the Resolue of 40 guns, 500 men, by the Melampus of 38 guns, Capt. Moore, on the Irish coast, Oct. 13. The Immortalite, another French frigate, of 44 guns, hove in sight just after the Resolute struck, and made off.
The London and Dublin papers to the 20th, say, corroboratively, that three other French frigates had been driven to Sligo bay: and a Glasgow account of Oct. 10th mentions the bringing into that harbour another French frigate commanded by Hardy. Should they all prove true, the entire destruction of the fleet is accomplished.
By Capt. Flint, arrived at Salem, with foreign gazettes, six days later than before received.
Destruction of the Brest Fleet!
OFFICIAL ACCOUNTS.
FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE EXTRA
OCT. 21.
THE Lords of the Admiralty have received the following Dispatches of Commodore John B. Warren:
On board of the Canada, Lough-Swilly, Oct. 16.
SIR,
In compliance with your orders, which I received by the Kangaroo brig: I sailed with my ship the Canada, of 74 guns, the Robust of 74, the Foudroyant, of 80, and Magnanime, of 44, to the heights of Arranhead. On the 10th inst. were joined by the Melpomene, of 44, and the Doris of 38.
The latter I ordered to cruize between the isle of Tory and Rosses in search of the enemy. The same evening were joined by the Amelia of 38, which had parted with the Ethalion of 38, Anson of 44, and Sylph of 18, which vessels had been carefully observing the manoeuvres of the French since Sept. 17.
On the 11th we fell in with these vessels: and soon after on the NW of us got sight of the enemy's squadron, consisting of one 80 gun ship, 8 frigates, a brig and a schooner. I made the signal for a general chase, and to form the line of battle as our ships came up with them, which however we did not do till the 12th, owing to a heavy sea and our enemy's being to windward. Notwithstanding the severity of the weather, we continued the chase through the 11th, day and the night. At half past five o'clock on the morning of the 12th, we saw the enemy not far from us. They formed a close line of battle, and advanced on us on our starboard side—but we did not meet till 7 o'clock, as the chase had scattered my vessels. I made the signal for the Robust to lead and engage, which was instantly obeyed, and the other ships formed after her.
The action commenced twenty minutes before 8 o'clock, the Rosses bearing 15 miles SSW of us. At 11 o'clock the Hoche surrendered, after a gallant defence: all the frigates at that moment fled. A signal was made for pursuing them; and in five hours after, three of them were captured. The remaining five for that time escaped: All the frigates, as well as the ship of the line, were new, & full of troops, provisions, ammunition, &c. to forward their designs on Ireland. With pleasure I observe, that the behaviour of all my officers and sailors was such as convinced the warmest affection for their king and country. I left Capt. Thornbrough with the command of the Magnanime, Ethalion, and Amelia, to take charge of the prizes and conduct them to port. I expect him in every moment. I have the honour to be, &c.
J. B. WARREN.
P. S. The following ships were in the battle, viz. Canada, Robust, Foudroyant, Magnanime, Ethalion, Melampus and Amelia.
The Anson did not arrive till after the action—as she had in the chase, carried away a top gallant mast. I have received my lieutenant, Turguand, to take charge of the Hoche.
Commodore Warren, in another letter of the same date, to Lord Castlereagh, says, that among the vessels of the enemy which escaped, was a brig supposed to have Napper Tandy on board: that he was of opinion the fugitive ships could not reach France, as every one was more or less damaged in masts and rigging, and had to sustain a heavy gale the day after the action.—Many papers, &c. were thrown overboard, from the ships that surrendered. Several troops were on board.
The London Gazette also contains an official account of the capture of the Resolue of 40 guns, 500 men, by the Melampus of 38 guns, Capt. Moore, on the Irish coast, Oct. 13. The Immortalite, another French frigate, of 44 guns, hove in sight just after the Resolute struck, and made off.
The London and Dublin papers to the 20th, say, corroboratively, that three other French frigates had been driven to Sligo bay: and a Glasgow account of Oct. 10th mentions the bringing into that harbour another French frigate commanded by Hardy. Should they all prove true, the entire destruction of the fleet is accomplished.
What sub-type of article is it?
Naval Affairs
War Report
What keywords are associated?
Brest Fleet Destruction
Naval Battle Ireland
Hoche Capture
French Frigates Captured
Warren Squadron
Ireland Invasion Thwarted
What entities or persons were involved?
Commodore John B. Warren
Capt. Thornbrough
Capt. Moore
Napper Tandy
Where did it happen?
Lough Swilly, Ireland
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Lough Swilly, Ireland
Event Date
October 12
Key Persons
Commodore John B. Warren
Capt. Thornbrough
Capt. Moore
Napper Tandy
Outcome
hoche (80 guns) surrendered after gallant defense; three frigates captured; five frigates and brig escaped but damaged; resolue (40 guns) captured by melampus; other frigates driven to sligo bay or captured; troops, provisions, ammunition aboard for ireland invasion.
Event Details
British squadron under Commodore Warren, including Canada, Robust, Foudroyant, and others, chased and engaged French squadron (Hoche and eight frigates) off Irish coast. Action began October 12; Hoche surrendered at 11 o'clock; three frigates captured after pursuit. Ships full of troops for Ireland invasion. Additional capture of Resolue by Melampus on October 13; reports of other frigates captured or ashore.