Key Facts
- Date
- 14 March 1795
- French ships of the line
- 14 (later 13)
- Allied ships of the line
- 13
- French ships captured
- 2 (Ça Ira and Censeur)
- French flagship guns
- 120 (Sans Culotte)
Strategic Narrative Overview
In early March 1795 Martin sailed toward Genoa, capturing a British ship of the line en route. Finding himself pursued by Vice-Admiral Hotham's fleet, Martin manoeuvred for two days in calm weather before turning back toward France. Hotham's leading ships caught the French rearguard on 13 March, and running engagements followed over two days. Martin's flagship lost contact overnight, and after a brief renewed action the following morning, he ordered a withdrawal.
01 / The Origins
Following the British capture and subsequent recapture of Toulon in 1793, the French Mediterranean fleet had been largely burned in harbour. Only half the ships were salvageable, leaving Britain dominant in the region. Through 1794 the British exploited this advantage to seize Corsica. By early 1795, enough French ships had been repaired that Counter-admiral Pierre Martin felt able to reassert French naval presence in the Ligurian Sea.
03 / The Outcome
Two French ships, Ça Ira and Censeur, were left behind and forced to surrender, yielding a minor Anglo-Neapolitan victory. Hotham declined Captain Nelson's urging to pursue the retreating French fleet and withdrew for repairs. HMS Illustrious was later wrecked on the Italian coast. Martin anchored his remaining ships at the Îles d'Hyères, and four months later the two fleets clashed again at the Battle of the Hyères Islands, also a minor British victory.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Pierre Martin.
Side B
2 belligerents
William Hotham, Horatio Nelson.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.