Reduction of San Sebastien, 10th July 1813 - 8th September 1813

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Reduction of San Sebastien

10^th July 1813 - 8^th September 1813
Part of : The Napoleonic Wars (1803 - 1815)
Previous action : Attack on Fiume 3.7.1813
Next action : Attack on the harbour of Kovigno 2.8.1813


United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

British Squadron, Sir George Ralph CollierBritish Naval Sailor Service 1787-1820
Ship Name	Commander	Notes
Name : Surveillante (36) 1803-1814 British 36 Gun 5th Rate Frigate	Sir George Ralph CollierBritish Naval Sailor Service 1787-1820	Fleet Flagship
Name : Ajax (74) 1809-1864 British 74 Gun 3rd Rate Ship of the Line	Sir Robert Lawrie (6^th Baronet of Maxwelton)British Naval Sailor Service 1790-1847 , Robert Waller OtwayBritish Naval Sailor Service 1793-1841
Name : Freya (22) 1807-1816 British 22 Gun 5th Rate Frigate	William Isaac ScottBritish Naval Sailor Service 1799-1849
Name : President (38) 1806-1815 British 38 Gun 5th Rate Frigate 1815 Renamed "Piedmontaise"	Francis MasonBritish Naval Sailor Service 1793-1843
Name : Revolutionaire (36) 1794-1822 British 36 Gun 5th Rate Frigate	John Charles WoolcombeBritish Naval Sailor Service 1801-1815
Name : Andromache (36) 1799-1828 British 36 Gun 5th Rate Frigate 1812 Renamed "Andromache"	George TobinBritish Naval Sailor Service 1790-1837
Name : Magicienne (36) 1812-1845 British 36 Gun 5th Rate Frigate	William GordonBritish Naval Sailor Service 1804-1828
Name : Royalist (16) 1807-1819 British 16 Gun Unrated Sloop	James John Gordon BremerBritish Naval Sailor Service 1794-1849
Name : Sparrow (16) 1805-1816 British 16 Gun Unrated Sloop	Joseph Needham TaylerBritish Naval Sailor Service 1802-1813
Name : Beagle (16) 1804-1814 British 16 Gun Unrated Sloop	John SmithBritish Naval Sailor Service 1798-1813
Name : Despatch (16) 1812-1836 British 16 Gun Unrated Sloop	James GallowayBritish Naval Sailor Service 1799-1814
Name : Challenger (16) 1813-1824 British 16 Gun Unrated Sloop	Frederick VernonBritish Naval Sailor Service 1809-1824
Name : Constant (12) 1801-1816 British 12 Gun Unrated Gun-brig	John StokesBritish Naval Sailor Service 1795-1815
Name : Nimble (12) 1813-1816 British 12 Gun Unrated Cutter	Peter WilliamsBritish Naval Sailor Service 1801-1814
Name : Lyra (10) 1808-1818 British 10 Gun Unrated Sloop	John CampbellBritish Naval Sailor Service 1800-1813
Name : Holly (10) 1809-1814 British 10 Gun Unrated Schooner	Samuel Sharp TreacherBritish Naval Sailor Service 1806-1814
Name : Juniper (10) 1809-1814 British 10 Gun Unrated Schooner	Nathaniel VassallBritish Naval Sailor Service 1790-1814
Name : Gunboat No. 14 (3) 1808-1815 British 3 Gun Unrated Gunboat
Name : Gunboat No. 16 (3) 1808-1815 British 3 Gun Unrated Gunboat	Edward KnapmanBritish Naval Sailor Service 1810-1850

Notes on Action

DescriptionTRN5
Collier's force also co-operated with General Graham in the reduction of San Sebastian, a detachment of seamen being landed on July 10th, under the orders of Lieutenant Dowell O'Reilly. On August 31st, two divisions of boats, under Commanders James Galloway and Robert Bloye, were sent to make a diversion, while some of the .men-of-war stood into the harbour, and a general assault was made from the land side. These combined movements resulted in the occupation of the town, early in the afternoon, though the citadel still held out. That day Commander John Smith, of the Beagle, and three or four seamen, were wounded. On September 8th, the batteries opened on the citadel; and, in a very short time, terms of capitulation were proposed and agreed to. In these operations, in addition to the vessels above named, the Ajax, 74, Captain Robert Waller Otway, Revolutionnaire, 38, Captain John Charles Woollcombe, Freja, 36, Commander William Isaac Scott, Andromache, 36, Captain George Tobin, President, 38, Captain Francis Mason, Dispatch, 18, Commander James Galloway, Challenger, 18, Commander Frederick Edward Venables Vernon, Magicienne, 36, Captain the Hon. William Gordon, Constant, 12, Lieutenant John Stokes, schooners Holly, and Juniper, Lieutenant Nathaniel Vassall, cutter Nimble, and two gunboats (Nos. 14 and 16) took part. Among the officers mentioned as having distinguished themselves were Lieutenants the Hon. James Arbuthnot and Robert Graham Dunlop, and Midshipmen Digby Marsh, George Harvey, Henry Bloye, and William Lawson.

Sources

IDNameAuthorType

TRN5William Laird Clowes, Digital Book

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Saturday 13th of June 2026 18:33	x	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 18:28	Jon Miller	British Fifth Rate frigate 'Solebay' (1785) (32) 1785-1809 British 32 Gun 5th Rate Frigate
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Reduction of San Sebastien

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

Notes on Action

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