Action of 10 April 1795

Action of 10 April 1795
Part of the French Revolutionary Wars
Capture of La Gloire April 10th 1795, Thomas Whitcombe
Date 10–11 April 1795 Location Western Approaches, Atlantic Ocean 49°30′N 10°46′W / 49.500°N 10.767°W / 49.500; -10.767 Result British victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	France
Commanders and leaders
John Colpoys	Captain Beenst[1][2]
Strength
5 ships of the line 2 frigates	3 frigates
Casualties and losses
8 killed and wounded	40 killed and wounded 2 frigates captured

The action of 10 April 1795 was a minor naval engagement during the French Revolutionary Wars in which a squadron of French Navy frigates was intercepted by a British battle squadron under Rear-Admiral John Colpoys which formed part of the blockade of the French naval base of Brest in Brittany. The French squadron split up in the face of superior British numbers, the three vessels seeking to divide and outrun the British pursuit. One frigate, Gloire was followed by the British frigate HMS Astraea and was ultimately brought to battle in a closely fought engagement. Although the ships were roughly equal in size, the British ship was easily able to defeat the French in an engagement lasting just under an hour.

The other French ships were pursued by British ships of the line and the chase lasted much longer, into the morning of 11 April when HMS Hannibal caught the frigate Gentille. Hannibal was far larger than its opponent and the French captain surrendered immediately rather than fight a futile engagement. The third French frigate, Fraternité successfully escaped. After refitting in Portsmouth, Colpoys' ships returned to their station off Brest, the blockade remaining in place for the remainder of the year.