Action of 29 April 1758 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Action of 29 April 1758
Part of the Seven Years' War
Scale plan of the HMS Dorsetshire
Date 29 April 1758 Location Bay of Biscay, Atlantic Ocean Result British victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	France
Commanders and leaders
Peter Denis	Louis de Rohan
Strength
2 ships of the line	1 ship of the line
Casualties and losses
16 killed 20 wounded	61 killed 100 wounded 1 ship of the line captured

The Action of 29 April 1758 was a naval battle fought at sea. It happened in the Bay of Biscay, which is near Brest in France. This fight was between a British Royal Navy group of ships and a single French Navy warship. It took place during the Seven Years' War.

During this time, France was trying to send help to Louisbourg, a fortress in North America. Louisbourg was about to be attacked by the British. To stop these French ships, the British Royal Navy kept a close watch, or blockade, on the main French port at Brest.

In April 1758, a British group of ships, including HMS Intrepid, HMS Dorsetshire, and HMS Achilles, was sailing off the French coast. They spotted a single ship. The Dorsetshire, led by Captain Peter Denis, went to check it out. They found it was the French warship Raisonnable, which was heading to Louisbourg. In a tough battle, Dorsetshire badly damaged the French ship. Its captain, Louis-Armand-Constantin de Rohan, had to give up.

The Battle for Control of the Seas

In 1758, the British Royal Navy and the French Navy were fighting for control of the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean. This was part of the Seven Years' War, which had started in 1755. The war was mainly about who would control more land and trade in places like North America.

For the French Navy, it was very important to keep their supply routes open to Louisbourg. This was a major French fortress in North America, which is now part of Canada. Louisbourg was soon going to face a big attack, called a siege, from the British.

To help Louisbourg, the French Navy sent groups of ships and single ships into the Atlantic. These ships carried supplies and extra soldiers. The British Royal Navy, in turn, sent their own ships to stop these French missions.

British Ships on Patrol

In April 1758, a British group of ships was on patrol near Brest. This group was led by Captain Edward Pratten on HMS Intrepid. On April 19, they saw a ship far away to the southwest. Captain Pratten sent the 70-gun HMS Dorsetshire to investigate. The Dorsetshire was commanded by Captain Peter Denis.

The ship they found was the 64-gun French warship Raisonnable. It was commanded by Captain Louis-Armand-Constantin de Rohan. When Captain Pratten realized how strong the French ship was, he sent another ship, the 60-gun HMS Achilles, to help Dorsetshire. The Achilles was led by Captain Samuel Barrington.

A Fierce Fight at Sea

Before Achilles could arrive, Captain Denis brought Dorsetshire right next to the French ship. They began a fierce broadside battle. This means both ships fired all their cannons from one side at each other. Dorsetshire fought so well that Captain Rohan was forced to strike his colours. This means he lowered his flag, showing he was giving up.

Captain Barrington's Achilles only reached the battle in the last few minutes. It arrived just in time to see the French ship surrender. The French ship had many casualties, with 61 sailors killed and 100 wounded. On Dorsetshire, 15 sailors were killed and 21 were wounded. One of the wounded later died.

After the battle, the captured French ship Raisonnable was repaired. It then joined the British Royal Navy and served under the same name. However, it was accidentally wrecked in Martinique in February 1762. The Siege of Louisbourg happened in June 1758, as planned. The city fell the next month, partly because the Royal Navy had stopped any help from reaching it.