action action minor naval engagement fought indian_ocean french revolutionary wars british squadron blockading french island mauritius early year early discovered ships approaching position strange vessels came closer recognised french frigate captured year small brig making use favourable wind british squadron gave chase new arrivals fled chase short poor sailor crew sick unable report duty british frigate arrive soon completely disabled french frigate successfully ship hour minutes french captain surrendered captain taking captured ship bringing prize port india background britain joined french revolutionary wars february news reach indian_ocean months immediate priority british squadron commodore british india capture french colonies india especially main port british completed operation end august squadron returned europe left british commerce eastern waters badly exposed warships operating captured number merchant vessels including large east princess royal seized september princess royal armed ship carrying pounder cannon number smaller calibre guns french_navy immediately took service gun frigate attached squadron frigates brig captain force squadron ships january returning captured east early spring vessels come britain gun frigate captain gun fifth rate captain gun hms resistance captain replace squadron ships passed french bases route india briefly blockaded port success french merchant vessels sent officers men india captured merchant ships french ships sea period cruising indian_ocean spring returning battle french vessels approached island sighted british squadron british captains waited french closer launching chase mid morning held weather wind allowed rapidly close french vessels efforts escape hampered poor sailing qualities reach french frigate firing long range minutes british ship pulled closer briefly returned fire soon positioned starboard quarter french ship allowing pour fire reply battered wreck hull significantly damaged shot away heavy casualties crew ship resistance nautical miles away approaching rapidly french captain struck colours surrendered brig taken opportunity escape fought later reached lost killed officer men wounded exchange crew losses far severe french ship recorded men killed wounded nominal complement aftermath initially took prize demanded fresh supplies particularly water prisoners french governors islands refused stormed seized town taking supplies military stores wounded sick prisoners disembarked contents small french brig turned inhabitants replace seized supplies returned india prize ship subsequently purchased royal_navy historical reaction battle focused significantly stronger british position encounter large regular warships pitted hastily converted merchant vessel significant proportion crew suffering illness weakly built weakly armed early estimates main battery mounted pounder long guns revised pounders smaller cannon upper deck british blockade continued year engaged inconclusive action french squadron october remained french hands conflict indian_ocean largely british control
Action of 5 May 1794