Key Facts
- Date
- 30 June 1798
- French frigate guns
- 40 guns (Seine)
- Soldiers aboard Seine
- 280 garrison troops
- British ships involved
- 3 frigates: Jason, Pique, Mermaid
- British loss
- HMS Pique wrecked and burnt
- Engagement duration
- Over 2.5 hours of frigate combat
Strategic Narrative Overview
The 40-gun French frigate Seine arrived in the Bay of Biscay on 28 June 1798 carrying 280 soldiers. Spotted the following morning by HMS Jason, HMS Pique, and HMS Mermaid, Seine fled southwards while Mermaid blocked the coast. Pique caught Seine at 23:00 and the two frigates exchanged fire for over two and a half hours before Pique fell back. The chase continued through the night until all three frigates ran aground on sandbanks off La Tranche-sur-Mer on the Vendée coast.
01 / The Origins
During the French Revolutionary Wars, the French Navy suffered heavy losses in Atlantic operations early in the conflict, enabling the Royal Navy's Channel Fleet to establish a close blockade of French Biscay ports, especially Brest. An inshore frigate squadron continuously patrolled to intercept French vessels. Several French frigates stationed in the Indian Ocean were recalled in spring 1798 when the base at Île de France could no longer supply them, prompting their hazardous return voyage through blockaded waters.
03 / The Outcome
Even grounded, the frigates continued firing until HMS Mermaid arrived, forcing the outnumbered Seine to surrender. Jason and Seine were refloated despite severe damage; casualties aboard the crowded Seine were described as appallingly high. HMS Pique could not be saved and was evacuated, then burnt. The British squadron returned to Britain with Seine as a prize, having lost one frigate but capturing the French vessel and its military passengers.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.