battle battle naval action fought indian port british french warships november anglo war britain france war time engagement french support conflict led royal_navy patrols stopping searching french ships sailing port french convoy passed british port november commodore sent small squadron intercept french ships british force captain sir approached convoy escorting frigate opened fire general action followed succeeding forcing french ship surrender minutes sides suffering damage casualties french vessels searched subsequently returned local french authorities reacting perceived violation neutral position messages sent france reporting action commodore saint evoked little response normal circumstances battle provoked diplomatic incident ongoing french revolution meant despatches little effect background december years diplomatic terms treaty ended second anglo war ruler sultan declared war allies years war continued british forces allies drove armies capital sides reliant supply sea maintain campaigns inland british forces supported major ports bombay madras later additional forces small port inside territory forces supplied french ships france ally sultan father ali second anglo war political instability caused french revolution europe prevented active involvement ensured ships kept supply equipment war effort eliminate french support commodore british naval commander region stationed squadron frigates situated blockade prevent passage shipping territory squadron consisted captain sir hms phoenix captain french operated squadron coast led consisting frigates based small french port miles south french communicated british submit attempts search vessels replied enforce blockade consequences battle november french convoy sailed short journey convoy included merchant vessels frigate gun warship captain passing northwards convoy soon passed sent phoenix stop inspect french ships ensure carrying military supplies smith halted merchant ships sent boats inspect french captain placing officer small boat board frigate french captain outraged violation neutrality responded opening fire british sources suggest initial target small boat phoenix ship immediately damaged french reaction returned fire immediately proximity ships preventing manoeuvres minutes combat decided french captain hauling colours ship battered men wounded dead french ship carried significantly weaker cannon phoenix pounder guns pounders aboard british squadron addition heavily outnumbered french warships area british large frigates sight french losses eventually totalled men killed wounded suffering killed wounded return aftermath enemy subdued ordered thorough search captured vessels find returned control french commander french officer refused insisting ship treated prisoners war ordered merchant ships released continue journey frigate towed anchored roads sails struck provision subsequently wounded french sailors soon arrived frigate reacted discovery neutral ships attacked captured british insisted ships acting orders promised vessels attacked withdrew later day followed phoenix account reported actually ordered crew fire refused british french days openly stopping searching french merchant ships provoking response phoenix subsequently detached commanders remaining contact days finally separating news encounter conveyed france country time turbulent eras ongoing revolution little notice taken events india notes normal political circumstances action significant claims french deliberately ignored report fear britain britain admiralty approved actions suggesting french deliberately guise trade support britain action effect ongoing war india centred inland city british forces closed city february initiated peace talks brought war end exchange concessions company indian allies
Battle of Tellicherry