Action of 8 May 1744

Action of 8 May 1744
Part of the War of the Austrian Succession

An illustration of the battle by Ambroise Louis Garneray
Date8 May 1744
Location
Off Berlengas, Atlantic Ocean[1]
Result French victory[2]
Belligerents
Kingdom of France France  Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Hubert de Brienne
Étienne Perier		 Thomas Watson †
Strength
2 ships of the line
1 frigate		 1 ship of the line
Casualties and losses
Unknown 1 ship of the line captured

The action of 8 May 1744[a] was a minor naval engagement of the War of the Austrian Succession in which two French ships of the line, the 60-gun Content, and the 64-gun Mars, captured the British 70-gun HMS Northumberland after a desperate action lasting four hours.[1] Northumberland's captain, Thomas Watson, and her second lieutenant were among those killed.[2]

  1. ^ a b Dupont/Taillemite, p. 79.
  2. ^ a b Troude, p. 299.


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