This inconclusive engagement near Banda Aceh demonstrated French naval capability to threaten British trade and ports across the weakly defended East Indies.
Key Facts
- Date
- 9 September 1796
- French vessels
- Six frigates
- British vessels
- Two 74-gun ships of the line
- French commander
- Contre-amiral Pierre César Charles de Sercey
- Outcome
- Inconclusive; both sides disengaged
- French base of operations
- Île de France
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
French naval forces sought to exploit British weakness in the East Indies by raiding commerce along Dutch East Indies trade routes. Sercey's squadron departed Île de France in July 1796, cruised off Ceylon and Tranquebar, and raided shipping at Banda Aceh on 1 September, facing little opposition as British forces were dispersed between Simon's Town and Malacca.
On 9 September 1796, Sercey's six frigates formed a line of battle off northwestern Sumatra and engaged HMS Arrogant and HMS Victorious in sequence, preventing the two British ships of the line from supporting each other. Both sides inflicted damage without achieving a decisive result, with French frigates Vertu and Seine notably suffering alongside both British vessels.
Both sides disengaged by late morning without a decisive winner. The British ships retired to Madras for repairs, while Sercey anchored at King's Island in the Mergui Archipelago before eventually sheltering in Batavia, leaving the French squadron free to continue threatening British shipping and ports in the region.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Contre-amiral Pierre César Charles de Sercey.
Side B
1 belligerent