Action of 6 November 1794

Action of 6 November 1794
Part of the French Revolutionary Wars
HMS Alexander . . . Shortly before Striking Her Colours to the French Squadron, 6 November 1794, William Shayer
Date 6 November 1794 (16 Brumaire an III) Location Celtic Sea, Atlantic Ocean 48°25′00″N 07°53′00″W / 48.41667°N 7.88333°W / 48.41667; -7.88333 Result French victory
Belligerents
France	Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Joseph-Marie Nielly	Richard Bligh Charles Hamilton
Strength
5 ships of the line 3 frigates 1 corvette	2 ships of the line
Casualties and losses
10 wounded	28 killed 30 wounded 1 ship of the line captured

The action of 6 November 1794 (Known in French as the Combat du 16 Brumaire an III) was a naval engagement during the French Revolutionary Wars. Two British ships of the line, HMS Alexander and HMS Canada were intercepted while returning to Britain through the Celtic Sea by a large French squadron. The French squadron had sailed from Brest in search of an inward bound British convoy in October, but instead encountered the two British ships returning from escorting an outward-bound convoy. There had been no warning of the French approach as the British force assigned to watch Brest was absent at Plymouth due to the policy of operating a distant blockade.

The British ships separated and attempted to escape, but the French commander Contre-amiral Joseph-Marie Nielly simply split his forces in response and, although Canada was eventually able to outrun pursuit, Alexander was slower and was caught by several French ships in succession. The first two opponents were driven off, but the third succeeded in coming alongside and, in a fierce and close fought duel, compelled Captain Richard Rodney Bligh to surrender his ship in the face of overwhelming odds. The battle was a rare French victory, lying between the significant British victories at the Glorious First of June and the Battle of Groix, in the Royal Navy campaign against the French fleet at Brest.