Key Facts
- Date
- 15 November 1810
- French frigates involved
- 2 (Elisa and Amazone)
- British ships of the line
- 2 (HMS Donegal and HMS Revenge)
- Weapon debut
- Congreve rockets used in night boat attack
- Elisa destroyed
- 23 December 1810, burned by HMS Diana's boats
Strategic Narrative Overview
On 12 November 1810, the Le Havre frigates Elisa and Amazone attempted a night run to Cherbourg but were spotted by HMS Diana and HMS Niobe. The French took refuge at Iles Saint-Marcouf then Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue. On 15 November, reinforced British ships attacked the anchored frigates under shore-battery fire, withdrawing after four attempts. A subsequent night rocket attack forced both French frigates aground.
01 / The Origins
During the Napoleonic Wars, the British Royal Navy maintained a close blockade of French Channel ports to prevent the French Navy from operating freely. By autumn 1810, a British squadron in the Baie de la Seine had effectively isolated two French frigate squadrons in Le Havre and Cherbourg, cutting off their ability to consolidate forces or sortie into the Channel without interception.
03 / The Outcome
The refloated Amazone escaped to Le Havre on 27 November, while the damaged Elisa remained at anchor. A British bomb vessel attack on 6 December drove Elisa further inshore, grounding her again. On 23 December, boats from HMS Diana entered the anchorage under cover of darkness and set Elisa alight, destroying her. The British blockade of the area continued throughout.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Captain Pulteney Malcolm.
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.