Key Facts
- Duration of engagement
- More than 15 hours
- Persons aboard Droits de l'Homme
- 1,300
- French casualties (estimated)
- 400–1,000 dead
- British sailors lost
- 6 drowned (HMS Amazon)
- French guns
- 74
- British frigates engaged
- 2 (44-gun and 36-gun)
Strategic Narrative Overview
On 13 January 1797, HMS Indefatigable and HMS Amazon sighted the 74-gun Droits de l'Homme and gave chase into worsening seas. The gale was so fierce the French ship could not open its lower gun ports, neutralising much of its firepower advantage over the smaller British vessels. The engagement lasted over 15 hours along the rocky Breton coast, with the more manoeuvrable frigates repeatedly raking the French ship and inflicting severe damage.
01 / The Origins
The action arose from France's Expédition d'Irlande, a large-scale attempt to land an expeditionary force in Ireland and support an anticipated rebellion against British rule. The fleet was plagued by poor coordination and severe winter storms, preventing any troops from landing. As the battered French fleet turned back toward France, Britain stationed frigates off Ushant to intercept vessels attempting to reach home ports.
03 / The Outcome
As the storm intensified, the Droits de l'Homme's crew lost control and the vessel was swept onto a sandbar off Brittany and wrecked, killing between 400 and 1,000 of the 1,300 aboard. HMS Amazon also ran onto a sandbank attempting to escape the lee shore, with six sailors drowned. HMS Indefatigable survived. The action marked a notable British tactical success despite the loss of one frigate.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent
Edward Pellew (HMS Indefatigable), Richard Reynolds (HMS Amazon).
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.