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#OTD 1794: The Glorious First of June.
The first naval conflict between the British and the French during the French Revolutionary Wars.
Naval history thread time!
The first naval conflict between the British and the French during the French Revolutionary Wars.
Naval history thread time!
Named as such because it was 400 miles out into the Atlantic and didn't have the luxury of an appropriately named Cape.
Howe's task prior to battle? To escort a convoy en route to the East Indies & a few smaller convoys into the Atlantic.
Howe's task prior to battle? To escort a convoy en route to the East Indies & a few smaller convoys into the Atlantic.
This of course being Richard Howe, brother of William (who fought with Wolfe at Quebec)
Howe had previously notably seen service with Hawke at the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759.
Howe had previously notably seen service with Hawke at the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759.
Nelson once described him as "the first and greatest sea officer the world has produced" which was classic Nelson flattery, but also not entirely inaccurate. He is well worth reading up on.
Anyway...
Anyway...
The French escaped Howe's blockade of Brest on May 21st, as wind blew the ships off station. The French tried to avoid battle, but ensured they were between Howe and the convoy. At this point a lot of the French sailors are poorly trained, ill and struggling.
Howe set off in pursuit.
Finally on May 28th they sighted the French in the fog!
Howe organised his fleet into a line of battle, the French do the same and Howe orders the general chase, intending to engage the rear of the French fleet, breaking their line.
Finally on May 28th they sighted the French in the fog!
Howe organised his fleet into a line of battle, the French do the same and Howe orders the general chase, intending to engage the rear of the French fleet, breaking their line.
Due to the wonderful *ahem* Atlantic swell they didn't engage until the afternoon, with both fleets firing on each other until dark. Two British ships are heavily damaged and out of action and the French ship Revolutionaire (110 guns) is dismasted and surrenders.
Battle resumed on May 29th, Howe broke the French line on Queen Charlotte and the day was largely inconclusive.
On May 30th and 31st fog meant there was no fighting, but by this point Howe had the weather gage.
Both fleets hastily repaired their ships!
On May 30th and 31st fog meant there was no fighting, but by this point Howe had the weather gage.
Both fleets hastily repaired their ships!
On the 1st of June, Howe brought the fleet into close action. Leading the French was still R Adm Villeret, one of the few nobles in the French fleet to have not been executed or fled "the terror" in Revolutionary France.
Villeret's officers were inexperienced.
Howe? Well, he had Collingwood, Graves, Gambier, Duckworth, Hood and Packenham. So he was doing okay...
Howe? Well, he had Collingwood, Graves, Gambier, Duckworth, Hood and Packenham. So he was doing okay...
Just before 0400 Howe made his first signal and formed his line of battle once more. The plan? His ships would break the enemy line and engage from leeward.
The British fleet, in this instance, fired every other broadside at the French rigging.
The British fleet, in this instance, fired every other broadside at the French rigging.
Queen Charlotte was engaged by three French ships and, at one point, so badly damaged that Howe considered moving his flag to another ship...
Meanwhile the Brunswick and Vengeur de Peuple collided, their rigging becoming entwined and they drifted out of the line, fighting amongst themselves.
The gun crews couldn't open the gunport lids, so just blew them off. Capt Harvey loses an arm
The gun crews couldn't open the gunport lids, so just blew them off. Capt Harvey loses an arm
They fired on each other at almost immediate range for 3 hours, with sharpshooters in the tops of both ships. 23 British guns came off their carriages.
The Vengeur de Peuple actually started to sink, which didn't tend to happen *during* many battles.
By the evening Villaret ordered the fleet to cease firing. He had, however, kept the British away from the American convoy.
By the evening Villaret ordered the fleet to cease firing. He had, however, kept the British away from the American convoy.
Six ships of the French fleet struck their colours when they realised Villaret was abandoning them. Awks.
11 British ships are dismasted. Howe is so exhausted that he collapses.
11 British ships are dismasted. Howe is so exhausted that he collapses.
Important to note at this point Howe is 68 and was "allowed" back to sea by the King. He had fought for 5 days from a chair on the quarterdeck...
The convoy reached France, so could be seen to be a strategic win for the French, but it was ruined en route to Paris
The convoy reached France, so could be seen to be a strategic win for the French, but it was ruined en route to Paris
1200 British casualties
4000 French
3000 French POWs taken
The British returned home, victorious and first officers were all promoted to Commander.
4000 French
3000 French POWs taken
The British returned home, victorious and first officers were all promoted to Commander.
Villaret, despite allowing the convoy to reach France, received heavy criticism for losing 7 ships.
Tactically, a British victory.
Strategically, I think we can give it to the French. For once
Tactically, a British victory.
Strategically, I think we can give it to the French. For once
Just a fun fact. This lych gate is made of the timbers from HMS Thunderer, which saw action at The Glorious First of June https://twitter.com/kateejamieson/status/1251485064019484672?s=20
A notable mention too for the @BritishArmy - Thanks @Nails_ZeroAlpha for letting me know about this the other week! https://twitter.com/Nails_ZeroAlpha/status/1251569700036886528?s=20
