Action of 1781/07/21, 21st July 1781

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Action of 1781-07-21

21st July 1781
Part of : The American War of Independence (1775/04/19 - 1784/01/14)
Previous action : Action of 1781-06-19 19.6.1781
Next action : Action of 1781-07-31 31.7.1781
 

Great Britain

 
Ship NameCommanderNotes
Charlestown (28) 1780-1783
British 28 Gun
6th Rate Frigate
Henry Francis EvansBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1756-1763
†		 CO Killed 8 killed, 29 wounded
Allegiance (16) 1779-1782
British 16 Gun
Unrated Sloop
David PhippsBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1741-1809
 1 killed, 5 wounded
Jack (14) 1780-1781
British 14 Gun
Unrated Sloop
 Unknown Captured
Vulture (14) 1776-1805
British 14 Gun
Unrated Sloop
Rupert GeorgeBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1769-1794
 1 killed, 2 wounded
Vernon (14) 1781-1782
British 14 Gun
Hired Ship
  7 killed, 6 wounded
 

Allied (Royaume de France & Malta)
 
Ship NameCommanderNotes
L'Astrée (32) 1780-1795
French 32 Gun
5th Rate Frigate
  6 killed, 15 wounded
L'Hermione (32) 1779-1793
French 32 Gun
5th Rate Frigate
Louis René Levassor de La ToucheFrench
Naval Sailor
Service 1765-1781
 6 killed, 15 wounded
 

Notes on Action


DescriptionTRN4
On July 21st, the two French frigates Astree, 32, Captain de La Perouse, and Hermione, 32, Captain de La Touche-Treville, whilst cruising off Cape Breton Island, perceived several sail approaching. They were a number of British merchant vessels escorted by the Charleston, 28, Captain Henry Francis Evans; Allegiance, 14, Commander David Phips; Vulture, 14, Commander Rupert George; Vernon, 14, and Jack, 14. The two last were armed ships. After a long chase the French vessels came up with them. The British formed single line ahead, the Charleston in the centre, between their enemy and the convoy, and opened fire between 7 and 8 P.M. The heavy fire of the French frigates soon began to produce effect. The Jack probably weakly built had to strike, and the French assert that the Charleston, having lost her maintopmast, struck also, but that she took advantage of the darkness to steal away. The Allegiance, Vulture, and Vernon likewise made off, but the Astree had been so damaged in her rigging during the action that she could not pursue. The British ships altered course and got safely away, whilst the French, after taking possession of their prize, returned to Boston. Since the French official account represents M. de La Perouse as fighting against odds, it is well to remember that two large and heavily-armed frigates would have a great advantage against a number of weak and small frigates, sloops, and armed ships. The British ships, if they had carronades, no doubt carried a greater weight of metal, but their scantling would be weaker, and their force was scattered in several ships.
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