British capture of all three French ships and death of commander Thurot ended French naval raiding operations in the Irish Sea during the Seven Years' War.
Key Facts
- Date
- 28 February 1760
- British ships engaged
- 3 ships
- French ships engaged
- 3 ships
- French ships captured
- 3 ships
- French commander's fate
- François Thurot shot through the heart and killed
- Location
- Irish Sea, between Isle of Man and Ireland
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the Seven Years' War, France dispatched a raiding force under the celebrated commander François Thurot into British waters. This force operated in the Irish Sea as part of broader French efforts to threaten British coastal and Irish territories, eventually drawing the attention of the Royal Navy.
On 28 February 1760, three British ships intercepted Thurot's three French ships in the Irish Sea between the Isle of Man and the Irish coast. After a hard-fought engagement beginning at 9 am, the French ships were dismasted and reduced to a sinking condition. Thurot was killed by a shot through the heart during the battle.
The British captured all three French vessels, completing a decisive victory. The death of Thurot and the loss of his entire squadron ended French naval raiding operations in the Irish Sea, removing a persistent threat to British and Irish coastal security in the final years of the Seven Years' War.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent
François Thurot.