Action of 18 October 1782

The Action of 18 October 1782 was a minor naval engagement of the American Revolutionary War, in which the French 74-gun ship of the line Scipion, accompanied by a frigate, was chased by two Royal Navy ships of the line, HMS London and Torbay. Outmanoeuvring her larger opponents, Scipion obtained a favourable position that allowed her to rake HMS London, causing severe damage and escaping.

Action of 18 October 1782
Part of the American Revolutionary War
Combat du Scipion contre le London, Rossel de Crecy
Date 18-19 October 1782 Location off Hispaniola, Caribbean Sea 19°11′N 69°19′W Result British victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	France
Commanders and leaders
James Kempthorne	Nicolas de Grimouard
Strength
2 ships of the line	1 ship of the line 1 frigate
Casualties and losses
11 killed 75 wounded 1 ship of the line damaged	15 killed 46 wounded 550 captured 1 ship of the line sunk

The British resumed the chase, and Scipion struck a rock in Samaná Bay, becoming a total loss.[1]

Louis XVI made Grimouard a count after the battle, and commissioned a painting of the action from Rossel.[2]

Sources and references

Notes

Citations

1. Gardiner, Robert (1996). Navies and the American Revolution. Naval Institute Press. pp. 127. ISBN 9781557506238.
2. Contenson (1934), p. 187.

Bibliography

• Allen, Joseph (1852). Battles of the British Navy. London: Henry Bohn. pp. 349–350. Scipion.
• Contenson, Ludovic (1934). La Société des Cincinnati de France et la guerre d'Amérique (1778-1783). Paris: éditions Auguste Picard. OCLC 7842336.