A minor British naval victory off Guadeloupe that captured a French supply frigate days before the successful invasion of Martinique.
Key Facts
- Date
- 22 January 1809
- French frigate captured
- Topaze
- British lead captain
- Captain Samuel Pechell, HMS Cleopatra
- British spotting vessel
- HMS Hazard (brig)
- Days before Martinique invasion
- 6 days
- Topaze cargo
- Large cargo of flour from Brest
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
France sought to resupply its Caribbean colonies despite British blockades enforced in response to Napoleon's Continental System. The French frigate Topaze was dispatched from Brest carrying flour to Cayenne, but was driven off by HMS Confiance and sought shelter under the gun batteries off Pointe-Noire, Guadeloupe.
On 22 January 1809, HMS Hazard discovered Topaze at anchor off Pointe-Noire. Two British frigates led by Captain Samuel Pechell in HMS Cleopatra attacked and overwhelmed the French vessel despite covering fire from a shore battery, capturing both the ship and her cargo.
The capture removed a French supply vessel and its cargo from use by the colonies. Six days later, the British force launched its planned invasion of Martinique, completing the campaign in just over three weeks, demonstrating the effectiveness of the blockade strategy in isolating and then seizing French Caribbean possessions.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Captain Samuel Pechell.
Side B
1 belligerent