One of three EIC convoy losses in 1809 that prompted the Royal Navy to significantly expand its Indian Ocean presence by 1810.
Key Facts
- Date
- 18 November 1809
- French commander
- Commodore Jacques Félix Emmanuel Hamelin
- EIC ships in convoy
- 3 East Indiamen
- Duration of Windham-Manche duel
- Approximately one hour
- Windham recaptured by
- HMS Magicienne, within miles of Isle de France
- French base
- Isle de France (Mauritius)
Cause → Event → Consequence
During a six-month Indian Ocean cruise, French Commodore Hamelin's squadron conducted commerce raiding across the Bay of Bengal, capturing British merchant vessels and destroying an East India Company factory, establishing local naval superiority against British trade routes.
On 18 November 1809, two French frigates and a brig intercepted a convoy of three EIC East Indiamen. The largest vessel, Windham, attacked the frigate Manche in a one-hour duel before both disengaged; the other two East Indiamen surrendered after token resistance. Windham evaded pursuit for five days before being captured by Hamelin's flagship Vénus.
A month later, a tropical cyclone scattered the French squadron; Windham was recaptured by HMS Magicienne near Isle de France, while the other prizes reached the colony. The Windham's crew were released for their aid during the storm, and the action contributed to the Royal Navy substantially increasing its Indian Ocean forces by 1810.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Commodore Jacques Félix Emmanuel Hamelin.
Side B
1 belligerent