Action Of 5 September 1782

The action of 5 September 1782 took place during the American War of Independence between two French Navy frigates, ''Aigle'' and ''Gloire'', and a lone British 74-gun ship of the line HMS ''Hector''. In a two-day battle, the two frigates severely damaged ''Hector'' and only failed to capture her when a British squadron appeared on the horizon. The French withdrew, but ''Hector'' foundered a few days later after the 1782 Central Atlantic hurricane.

Background

The Franco-American alliance in the American War of Independence, resulted in France providing a considerable contribution to the naval operations in the conflict. France and Britain fought to control shipping lanes and supply their side on the American continent, while conducting support operations and landings. In consequence, both sides often used warships as transports to ferry ammunition and other supplies, troops, funds, and officials; these might only be armed en flûte, depending on their cargo.

In April 1782 a joint Franco-Spanish fleet under Comte de Grasse attempted an invasion of Jamaica. The fleet met a British fleet under Sir George Rodney, who defeated them in the ensuing Battle of the Saintes. The British captured a number of ships, and in the summer, a convoy under Rear-Admiral Graves, on the 74-gun , with the 74-gun ships and , and the 36-gun frigate , escorted the prizes ''Ville de Paris'', ''Glorieux'', ''Hector'' and ''Ardent'' on the journey back to England. In early September ''Hector'' sailed to Halifax with her prize crew.

In August two French frigates departed Rochefort to transport funds and officials for Rochambeau's army:Troude, vol.2, p.207 the 40-gun ''Aigle'', under Captain de Latouche, and the 32-gun ''Gloire'', under Captain de Vallongue.Guérin, p.433 Both ships were crowded with officials.

Action

In the night of 4 September 1782, at 135 leagues east of Long Island, ''Aigle'' and ''Gloire'' spotted a large ship sailing on a starboard tack under west winds, on a parallel course to theirs. Closing in, they identified her as a ship of the line; she was in fact ''Hector''.

''Gloire'' came under the wind of ''Aigle'', and ''Hector'' hailed her. ''Aigle'' closed to the wind. Instead of imitating this manoeuvre, ''Gloire'', fearing to expose her stern to the unknown ship, ran downwind and fired a broadside. ''Hector'' immediately replied in kind, and the two ships exchanged fire, still without knowing each other's identity.

At the first shot, Latouche ran downwind, but firing had ceased by the time ''Aigle'' caught up. ''Gloire'' and ''Hector'' were discussing their respective nationalities, and firing immediately resumed when they identified each other. Around 0415, ''Aigle'' replaced ''Gloire'' at ''Hector''s beam, as ''Aigle'' mounted 24-pounder long guns as her main armament, while ''Gloire'' carried only 12-pounders. Latouche recognised his opponent as "at least a 64-gun ship."

The superiority of ''Hector''s broadside led Latouche to want to board his opponent rather than continue to engage in an artillery duel, but ''Hector'' eluded him. At one point, ''Aigle'' and ''Hector'' were so close to one another than their gunners started hitting each other through the gunports using their ramrods. Meanwhile, ''Gloire'' circled ''Hector'' and raked her from stem to stern. The engagement continued until morning, when ''Hector'' appeared completely dismasted and almost unmanageable. Latouche saw the battle going in his favour until his lookouts detected several ships in the distance, at least one of which was unmistakably a ship of the line. Latouche then decided to break off the engagement and resume his mission.

Aftermath

The ships ''Aigle'' and ''Gloire'' had spotted the rest of Rear-Admiral Thomas Graves's convoy. On 17 September the 1782 Central Atlantic hurricane caught the British. ''Hector'' survived, but much damaged in her encounter and in the hurricane, she sank on 4 October; the privateer ''Hawke'' saved 200 of her crew.Roche, p.238

Latouche continued his mission and the French vessels successfully landed their passengers and funds in spite of British opposition. However, ''Aigle'' was lost immediately afterwards when she grounded in the Delaware River trying to escape a British squadron; Latouche was taken prisoner. The British were able to salvage her and take her into service as HMS ''Aigle''. ''Gloire'' managed to escape, together with a prize, , that the French had captured on their way into the Delaware.

Notes, sources and references

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1782 in New York (state)
Naval battles of the American Revolutionary War involving France
Naval battles of the American Revolutionary War
Naval battles of the Anglo-French War (1778–1783)
Conflicts in 1782
Battles of the American Revolutionary War in the New York City area after 1777
Battles of the American Revolutionary War in New York (state)