Alert vs Coureur, 17th June 1778

Three Decks' Forum

Come and ask, answer or inform.

Recent updates

Recent Comments

Alert vs Coureur

17th June 1778
Part of : The American War of Independence (1775/04/19 - 1784/01/14)
Previous action : Ranger vs Drake 24.4.1778
Next action : Encounter at Sandy Hook 22.7.1778
 

Great Britain

 
Ship NameCommanderNotes
Alert (10) 1777-1778
British 10 Gun
Unrated Cutter
William George FairfaxBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1750-1813
 4 killed, 4 wounded
 

Royaume de France

 
Ship NameCommanderNotes
Le Coureur (14) 1776-1778
French 14 Gun
Unrated Lugger
François Étienne de Rosily de Mesros (Comte de Mesros)French
Naval Sailor
Service 1778-1832
 Captured 5 killed, 7 wounded
 

Notes on Action


DescriptionTRN4
The British cutter Alert, Lieut. William George Fairfax, attacked the French lugger Coureur. The Alert carried eighty men, twelve 6's, and as many swivels: the Coureur had fifty men, two 3's, eight 2's, and six swivels; she was commanded by Enseigne de Rosily. She was ordered to go to the British Admiral; refused; and was at once fired upon. The two fought at pistol-shot range for nearly an hour and a half, until the Coureur struck. She hit the Alert several times on the water-line and cut up her rigging.
Previous comments on this pageno comments to display
Make a comment about this page






Recent comments to other pages

Date postedByPage
Saturday 13th of June 2026 18:33x
British Fourth Rate ship of the line 'Convertine' (1650) (40) 1650-1666
British 40 Gun
4th Rate Ship of the Line
Saturday 13th of June 2026 18:28Jon Miller
British Fifth Rate frigate 'Solebay' (1785) (32) 1785-1809
British 32 Gun
5th Rate Frigate
Saturday 13th of June 2026 18:27Jon Miller
Richard BowenBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1790-1793
Saturday 13th of June 2026 18:24Jon Miller
Sir William Hall GageBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1795-1862
Saturday 13th of June 2026 18:22Jon Miller
British Third Rate ship of the line 'Bedford' (1775) (74) 1775-1817
British 74 Gun
3rd Rate Ship of the Line
Copyright © Cy Harrison 2010-2026, all rights reserved
GDPR Statement