Action of 7 February 1813 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Action of 7 February 1813
Part of the Napoleonic Wars
The fight of the French frigate Aréthuse and Amelia on the shores of Guinea, 7 February 1813, Louis-Philippe Crépin
Date 7 February 1813 Location Off Îles de Los, Atlantic Ocean 09°18′N 14°00′W / 9.300°N 14.000°W / 9.300; -14.000 Result Indecisive
Belligerents
United Kingdom	France
Commanders and leaders
Frederick Irby (WIA)	Pierre Bouvet
Strength
1 frigate	1 frigate
Casualties and losses
51 killed 90 wounded	20 killed 98 wounded

On February 7, 1813, two powerful warships, the French frigate Aréthuse and the British frigate HMS Amelia, met in a fierce battle. This fight happened in the Atlantic Ocean near the Îles de Los, off the coast of Guinea. The battle lasted for four hours. Both ships were badly damaged, and many sailors were hurt or killed. Neither side truly won, and both ships eventually sailed away. Each captain later claimed their side had been victorious.

Why the Battle Happened

After 1811, France had lost many of its naval bases far from home. These bases were important for their warships. The British had taken control of French areas in the Indian Ocean. This meant French ships had fewer places to stop for supplies or repairs.

France decided to send ships to the west coast of Africa. This area was closer to France but still far enough from the main British naval forces. The goal was to attack British merchant ships, which is called commerce raiding.

Captain Pierre Bouvet was chosen to lead this mission. He was a skilled commander. His squadron included the 40-gun frigate Aréthuse, which he commanded, and the frigate Rubis.

Captain Pierre Bouvet, who commanded the French squadron.

On November 25, 1812, Bouvet's ships left Nantes, France. They managed to sneak past the British ships blocking the port. They sailed near the Azores and then towards Madeira and Cape Verde.

In January, the ships faced bad storms and sickness. Captain Bouvet decided to sail south to the Îles de Los near Sierra Leone. They had captured two ships: a British cutter called Hawk and a Portuguese slave ship called Serra.

On January 27, they saw a British ship, HMS Daring. The Daring mistook the French frigates for friendly ships. When they realized their mistake, it was too late. The French captured the Daring's boat. The British captain, Lieutenant William Pascoe, then ran his ship aground and set it on fire to prevent the French from taking it.

Preparing for Battle

The French sailors went ashore at the Îles de Los. They gathered fresh water and fruit. They also learned that the British had two frigates and other ships in the area. However, only HMS Amelia was in the bay at that time.

After six days of repairs and getting supplies, Aréthuse and Rubis were ready to sail. Captain Bouvet released the British prisoners. He sent them to Sierra Leone on the Hawk, after they promised not to fight again (this is called being released on parole).

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Pascoe reached Freetown and told Amelia's captain, Frederick Paul Irby, about the French ships. The Hawk also arrived, confirming the story. On February 3, Amelia sailed towards the Îles de Los to find the French ships.

Frederick Paul Irby, who commanded Amelia during the battle.

As Aréthuse was leaving the Îles de Los, it hit the bottom of the sea. This broke its rudder, which is used for steering. The ships had to stop to fix it. That night, a big storm hit. Both French frigates broke their anchor cables. Aréthuse managed to avoid crashing by using a temporary rudder. Rubis, however, was pushed onto the shore of Tamara.

Rubis was badly damaged and could not be saved. Her crew moved to the captured ship Serra. The next night, Rubis broke apart in the waves. Her commander set her on fire.

On February 5, Amelia spotted a ship. The next morning, it turned out to be a British schooner. Amelia then saw the French ships. She sent the schooner to Sierra Leone to ask for help from any other British warships.

The Battle Begins

HMS 'Amelia' chasing the French frigate 'Arethuse' 1813, by John Christian Schetky.

On the morning of February 6, Amelia appeared while Aréthuse was still fixing its rudder. Captain Bouvet set sail to meet her. That evening, the ships sailed side-by-side. Captain Irby of Amelia did not know that Rubis had been lost. He was trying to lead Aréthuse away so the two French ships couldn't help each other.

Aréthuse was a bit faster. Captain Bouvet hoped to catch Amelia during the night. He raised the French flag and fired a warning shot. Amelia responded by raising the British flag and firing a shot back.

The next morning, a thick fog made it impossible to see. Bouvet couldn't attack. Later, Aréthuse spotted Amelia again and chased her all day. At 7:30 PM, Captain Irby decided they were far enough from where Rubis might be. Amelia turned to face Aréthuse.

Aréthuse had 42 guns, including twenty-six 18-pounder long guns and fourteen 24-pounder carronades (short-range cannons). Amelia had twenty-six 18-pounders and twenty 32-pounder carronades. Amelia's crew was also larger because it included sailors from the lost Daring.

The Fight

The two frigates got very close, almost touching, before firing. As they passed each other, Aréthuse turned and fired all its guns at Amelia. This shot cut the ropes that controlled Amelia's sails. Amelia fired back. Then, Amelia turned sharply, and its side touched Aréthuse.

Aréthuse fired again at very close range. For the next hour and a half, the two ships were tangled together. They fired cannons at each other. Sailors even fought with swords through the gunports. But neither side tried to board the other ship.

After 90 minutes of constant firing, Captain Irby and his two lieutenants on Amelia were wounded. The third lieutenant was killed. The ship's master, Anthony De Mayne, took command.

Captain Bouvet tried to board Amelia to end the fight. But Aréthuse's ropes were too damaged to maneuver. At 9:00 PM, the ships finally separated. The cannon fire continued until 11:00 PM, when the ships lost sight of each other. A thick fog then covered the sea.

The next morning, Amelia was spotted again. Captain Bouvet reported that Aréthuse tried to chase her, but couldn't.

After the Battle

HMS Amelia in action with the French Frigate Aréthuse, 1813, by John Christian Schetky.

Both captains claimed the other ship had run away. Captain Irby said Aréthuse "bore up," meaning it turned away. Captain Bouvet wrote that Amelia "surrendered the battlefield." It's more likely that both ships were so damaged they simply drifted apart.

Aréthuse had 20 sailors killed and 98 wounded. Amelia had 51 killed and 90 wounded.

Captain Bouvet sailed to Tamara. There, he met up with Serra and the crew of Rubis. Serra was later sunk because it was slowing Aréthuse down. Aréthuse returned to Saint-Malo, France, on April 19, 1813. During their mission, Rubis and Aréthuse had captured ten other ships.

Captain Irby sailed Amelia back to England. He arrived on March 22, carrying a lot of gold.

The French Navy Minister, Decrès, had mixed feelings about the battle. He praised Captain Bouvet's bravery. He even asked the Emperor to commission a painting of the battle. Louis-Philippe Crépin later painted this battle, and it is now in the Musée de Versailles.

However, Decrès also criticized Bouvet for losing Rubis and almost losing Aréthuse in the storm. He felt that a more experienced sailor would not have put the ships in such danger. Because of these mixed reviews, Bouvet was given an award, the Legion of Honour. But he was not promoted to a higher rank.

Images for kids

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  The fight of the French frigate Aréthuse and Amelia on the shores of Guinea, 7 February 1813, by Louis-Philippe Crépin