Action of 21 April 1806 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Action of 21 April 1806
Part of the Napoleonic Wars
The Action of 21 April 1806, Pierre-Julien Gilbert
Date 21 April 1806 Location Off Natal, Cape of Good Hope Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
France	United Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
César Bourayne	John Osborn
Strength
1 frigate	2 ships of the line
Casualties and losses
7 killed 25 wounded	None

The Action of 21 April 1806 was a small but exciting sea battle. It happened between a French frigate (a type of warship) and two bigger British ships. This event took place off the coast of South Africa during the Napoleonic Wars. These wars were a series of major conflicts between France and other European powers, including Great Britain, from 1803 to 1815.

France had important naval bases in the Indian Ocean, on islands like Île Bonaparte (now Réunion) and Île de France. From these bases, French ships could attack British merchant ships. This was called commerce raiding. On April 21, 1806, a French frigate named Cannonière, which had 40 guns, met a strong British convoy. The Cannonière tried to get away. But it was chased by the 74-gun British ship HMS Tremendous.

During the battle, Captain Bourayne, who commanded the Cannonière, showed amazing skill in sailing his ship. He managed to defend against the much stronger British ship. He used clever moves that made it hard for the Tremendous's guns to hit his ship. He even threatened to hit the Tremendous from the front or back, which was very dangerous. Because of his skill, the French frigate was able to escape.

Why This Battle Happened

In 1806, a French naval group led by Admiral Linois was operating in the Indian Ocean. This group included several frigates and corvettes (smaller warships). It also had a large 74-gun ship of the line called the Marengo.

The 40-gun frigate Canonnière left France in November 1805. Its mission was to bring supplies and more ships to Admiral Linois's group. The Canonnière arrived at Ile de France in April 1806. But Captain Bourayne didn't know that Linois's ships had already been defeated in another battle in March 1806. So, the Canonnière sailed into the Indian Ocean, hoping to find and join Linois.

The Sea Battle Unfolds

On April 20, 1806, the Canonnière was sailing near Natal, South Africa. It spotted a group of 11 Indiaman ships. These were large merchant ships. They were protected by two British warships: the 74-gun HMS Tremendous and the 50-gun HMS Hindostan.

The Tremendous immediately started chasing the Canonnière. The French frigate tried to escape from the much stronger British ships. At first, a light wind helped the smaller frigate. It would have gotten away, but it had to change course to avoid hitting land. Then, the wind got stronger, which helped the bigger Tremendous.

Around 3:30 PM, the Canonnière and Tremendous started firing their chase guns at each other. These were guns placed at the front or back of a ship to fire while chasing or being chased. After chasing for seven hours, the Tremendous got close enough that a battle was certain. The Canonnière quickly turned to the side and began firing its main guns. The Tremendous fired back.

However, the Canonnière had planned its move. Its crew had prepared the ship's sails and ropes beforehand. The Tremendous had to quickly copy the frigate's turn. It was still sailing with all its sails out, including extra ones called studding sails. This made the Tremendous lean heavily to one side, which made its guns less effective. The British crew had to quickly adjust their sails. This gave the Canonnière an advantage.

By 5:15 PM, the Tremendouss rigging (the ropes and sails) had been damaged by the frigate's fire. It was in danger of losing its mizen mast (the mast at the back of the ship). The British captain, John Osborn, tried to hit the Canonnière from the front or back (a "raking" shot). This type of shot could cause huge damage. But the frigate was too quick. It outmaneuvered the 74-gun ship. The Canonnière moved into a position where it could have fired a raking shot at the Tremendouss front. So, Captain Osborn had to stop his attack.

At 5:35 PM, the two ships were sailing almost side-by-side, but they were getting further apart. The merchant ship Charlton fired its guns at the Canonnière from a long distance. But its shots didn't hit anything important, and it didn't try to get closer. Eventually, the French frigate and the British ships broke off contact.

What Happened Next

Even though it was facing much stronger opponents, the Canonnière managed to escape with only minor damage. Captain Bourayne was wounded, but not seriously. A British naval historian named William James praised Captain Bourayne. He said Bourayne's report of the battle was very clear and accurate. James also said this battle was a perfect example of how a weaker ship could defend itself against a much stronger one:

The action of the Tremendous and Canonnière affords a lesson to officers, who find themselves suddenly assailed by a decidedly superior force. It teaches them that, by a judicious and protracted defence, their ship may escape, even when, in a manner, close under the guns of an opponent, whose single broadside, well directed (the chief point wherein the Tremendous appears to have failed), must either sink or disable her.

A few days later, on April 29, the Canonnière almost got caught again. It sailed into the harbor of Simon's Town in South Africa. Captain Bourayne didn't know that the British had captured this Dutch colony. A small boat from the frigate went ashore. As soon as it landed, the Dutch flags on the buildings were replaced by the British Union Jack. Then, the forts on shore started firing at the Canonnière! The frigate barely escaped without being badly hit.

After this, Captain Bourayne returned to Reunion. From there, he sailed to the Philippines. He continued to operate in the Indian Ocean, attacking British merchant ships.