Telegraph vs Hirondelle, 18th March 1799

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Telegraph vs Hirondelle

18th March 1799
Part of : The French Revolutionary Wars (1793 - 1802)
Previous action : Defence of Acre 15.3.1799 - 20.5.1799
Next action : Action of 1799-04-09 9.4.1799
 

Great Britain

 
Unknown Division
Ship NameCommanderNotes
 
Ship NameCommanderNotes
Telegraph (14) 1798-1801
British 14 Gun
Hired Brig
James Andrew WorthBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1794-1814
 

République Française

 
Unknown Division
Ship NameCommanderNotes
 
Ship NameCommanderNotes
L'Hirondelle (16) 1799-1799
French 16 Gun
Privateer Brig
Joseph PostelFrench
Naval Sailor
Privateer
Service 1799
 

Notes on Action


Description of the ActionW005
On the 18th of March, at daylight, the Isle of Bas bearing south-east distant nine leagues, the British hired the armed brig Telegraph, of 14 carronades, 18-pounders, and two long sixes, with 60 men and boys, commanded by Lieutenant James Andrew Worth, discovered about two miles on her lee bow, the French privateer-brig Hirondelle, of 16 guns (8 and 6 pounders) and 72 men on board, out of a complement of 89. The Hirondelle immediately tacked, and stood towards the Telegraph. At 7h 30m a.m., the two brigs, having got close alongside each other, commenced a spirited cannonade. During the progress of the action, each vessel vainly tried, several times, to board the other. At length, after the struggle had continued three hours and a half, and when, having had all her rigging shot away, she was in an unmanageable state, the Hirondelle struck her colours.

The Telegraph had five men wounded: the Hirondelle five killed and 14 wounded. In this close engagement the carronades of the Telegragh produced their full effect, and Lieutenant Worth, who was promoted to the rank of commander on the occasion, Mr. George Gibbs, the master, and the remainder of the British officers and crew, conducted themselves in a very creditable manner; nor, considering the obstinate defence they made, can much less be said of the officers and men of the Hirondelle.
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