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Grande Biche vs Dreadnought

20th April 1745 (1745/05/01 NS)
Part of : War of the Austrian Succession (1740/12/16 - 1748/10/18)
Previous action : Anglesea vs Apollon 28.3.1745
Next action : Jersey v St Esprit 29.6.1745

An affidavit of 20th April, 1745 states that when the Dreadnought was attacked by the privateer Grande Biche of St. Malo the crew maintained an obstinate fight on deck for nearly four hours, when they were boarded and obliged to retire to close quarters. On Captain Read being killed, the chief mate, Edward Leicester, took command, and fought the ship for nearly an hour afterwards, till the people abaft, being almost suffocated with stink-pots and hand grenades, thrown in amongst them through a small scuttle that had been left open, called out for quarter, saying they would be blown up, the ship being actually on fire and the cry of “Fire” raised in the gunroom.

 

 
Ship NameCommanderNotes
La Grande Biche (22) 1745-1747
French 22 Gun
Privateer Unknown
 
 

 
Ship NameCommanderNotes
Dreadnought (20) 1745-1745
British 20 Gun
Privateer Unknown
James ReadBritish
Privateer
Service 1745
Captured
 

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