Capture of the Vincejo, 8th May 1804

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Capture of the Vincejo

8th May 1804
Part of : The Napoleonic Wars (1803 - 1815)
Previous action : Wilhelmina vs Psyche 11.4.1804
Next action : Attack on Ver Huell's squadron 16.5.1804 - 19.5.1804
 

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

 
Ship NameCommanderNotes
Vincejo (18) 1799-1804
British 18 Gun
Unrated Sloop
John Wesley WrightBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1800-1805
2, killed, 12 wounded Captured
 

République Française

 
French Flottilla,
Laurent TourneurFrench
Naval Sailor
Service 1762-1820
Ship NameCommanderNotes
 

Notes on Action


DescriptionRN
At daylight on May 8th, the Vencejo, 18, Commander John Wesley Wright, found herself becalmed near the mouth of the
Morbihan, and driven by the ebb close to the Teigneuse rock, off which, for safety, she had to drop anchor. The Vencejo was a quarterdecked and forecastled brig, mounting eighteen 18-pounder carronades, but pierced for twenty guns, and carrying fifty-one men and twenty-four boys. Although more formidable in appearance than in reality, she was of only 277 tons, and was scarcely a fair match for a couple of French gun-brigs. While, nevertheless, she was endeavouring, after she had weighed and warped into the channel, to sweep clear of the coast, she was approached from the mouth of the river by six brigs, each of three guns; six luggers, each of two guns; and five luggers, each of two guns; the total force arrayed against her being seventeen vessels, thirty-five guns (i.e., six long 24-pounders, twenty-four long 18-pounders, and five 36-pounder carronades), and between 700 and 800 men, under Lieutenant Laurent Tourneur. The enemy rowed down within range, and at 8.30 A.M. they began to fire. By 9.30 A.M. they had so decreased their distance that Commander Wright swept his brig broadside on to them. For nearly two hours he engaged them within about a cable's length; but, having his rigging cut to pieces, his hull badly mauled, three of his guns disabled, two men killed, and twelve, including himself, wounded, and most of his armament temporarily put out of action by the fall of the booms, he at length ordered the colours to be struck.

Sources


IDNameAuthorType
RNThe Royal Navy (Official Site)The Royal Navy, Web Site
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