Action of 22 January 1783

Action of 22 January 1783
Part of the American Revolutionary War
Date 22 January 1783 Location off the Virginia Capes, Atlantic Ocean 37°5′24.86″N 76°9′26.02″W / 37.0902389°N 76.1572278°W / 37.0902389; -76.1572278 Result British victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	France
Commanders and leaders
Thomas Russell	Kergariou-Locmaria
Strength
1 ship of the line 1 frigate	1 frigate
Casualties and losses
15 killed 26 wounded[1]	1 frigate captured 26 killed 40 wounded 170 captured[1]

The action of 22 January 1783 was a single-ship action fought off the Chesapeake Bay during the American War of Independence. The British frigate Hussar, under the command of Thomas McNamara Russell, captured the French frigate Sybille, under the command of Kergariou-Locmaria. The circumstances of the battle included controversial violations of accepted rules of war regarding the flying of false flags and distress signals.