action action minor naval engagement small british squadron small french squadron coast normandy france french revolutionary wars british force conducting patrols region aftermath battle earlier month encountered french vessels attempting sail unnoticed closing french british commander sir sought bring french ships battle attempted turn british squadron attack french unable escape ship fifth rate engaged french corvette smaller british ships chased brief exchange fire crews ran french ships onshore close mouth river landing barges survived attack british held badly damaged boarding parties ships able board burn following morning suffered troops onshore able protect attack crew bring nearby harbour repaired eventually returned background british_royal_navy successfully contained french navy employing strategy close blockade ensure dominance sea french revolutionary wars strategy particularly effective english channel proximity british bases importance limiting movements french invasion forces stationed focused british attention essential prevent concentration large force invasion barges constructed guidance captain improve royal_navy ability observe french movements force command captain sir seized garrisoned fortified spring concentrated landing barges launched attack saint combination wind tide prevented blockade squadron intervening fortified islands defended french soldiers died ensuing battle french abandoned attack french subsequently dispersed remaining landing barges ports response royal_navy increased patrols region intention convoys destroying barges french movements coast solely confined landing barges warships gun captain gun lieutenant sailed travelling westwards accompanied small armed cutter battle engagement sea morning british squadron sailing spotted french ships pulling west gave chase captain leading gun hms followed bomb vessel captain gun cutter lieutenant discovering british pursuit ordered squadron retreat shore opening ineffective fire long range continued approach successfully position turned shore british frigate came fire french ships attacks little impact able concentrate broadside rapidly forced french corvette turn pursued trial set pursuit attempting turn french cutter unable escape british pursuit crew deliberately drove ashore near mouth caught began heavy fire french warship returned possible exchange continued minutes having suffered damage drove aground near village short distance west mouth struck mainmast collapsed manoeuvre hostile fire impossible drove ashore avoid british attack managing beach ship estuary rising tide brought corvette beach brief attempt escape westwards trial alert drove shore small british vessels opened distant fire corvette west falling tide forced british ships retreat shore gathering vessels approximately miles northeast beached french convoy attack boats day french strengthened positions battered ships soldiers surrounding area gathering beaches deter boat attacks grounded vessels soldiers men taken landing barges troops identified trial briefly closed determine condition fired remaining guns operation frigate evacuation covered shore crew removed including wounded french eventually abandoned wrecked corvette evening better condition remained protected crew vessel low tide prevent falling prepared ship tide rose strong french military presence decided delay operation beached vessels circumstances favourable morning sent boats squadron attack grounded coming alongside wreck british boarding party found alive ship counted large number french dead board removing french colours boarding party started fires bow stern corvette withdrawing despite steady ineffective musket fire french troops overlooking beach force cavalry moving shore fire rapidly destroyed british boarding party retired casualties british attack proceeded crew succeeded soon ship anchored protection gun batteries defences augmented additional batteries set soldiers captain drawn barges trapped town british blockade time destroyed mouth heavily fortified arrival gun frigate hms diamond captain sir june insufficient french numerical superiority eventually forced retire blockade absent managed underway reach incident aftermath french casualties engagement uncertain circumstances destruction based report boarding party believed heavy british losses man killed seriously wounded minor damage inflicted smaller vessels conduct subject criticism france battle french history victories accused failing support grounding ship outcome battle british historian critical focusing blame french defeat senior restriction french movement coastline effects development french forces region played significant role failure french pose realistic invasion threat britain
Action of 30 May 1798