action february south_africa action february minor naval engagement british_royal_navy frigate french frigate fought nautical miles west southeastern coast gun french frigate start war squadron operating mauritius squadron dispersed ships sent independent commerce raiding operations british trade routes indian_ocean subsequently seized autumn year governor sold private raiding company early operating south_africa attacking british trade passing cape colony ship discovered british frigate hms captain turned away ball gave chase following french ship closely hours caught fired broadside stern french ship hour action continued close range forced surrender background british forces dominated indian_ocean controlling economically vital trade routes china dutch_east_indies europe french_navy originally deployed frigates region operating france force subsequently augmented summer large squadron frigates cruised east indies suffering setbacks action september incident squadron dispersed crews increasingly grew openly efforts refusing provide reinforcements supplies ships ordered frigates cruise british trade autumn ships returned sailed east leaving instructions frigates follow orders ordered frigates seized harbour protested actions governor issued new orders ships sent northeast operate calcutta partially disarmed sold concern operate trade commercial investment battle given captain sailed region east british held cape colony prey merchant shipping sailing cape_town cruise achieved success including seizure american merchant ship given prize crew armed pounder guns quarterdeck leaving french frigate guns including main battery pounder long guns dawn february sailing approximately nautical miles southwest coast sail seen southeast approaching rapidly recognising british frigate ordered ships separate american ship sailing south took northwards hoping draw british ship prize escape new arrival hms gun pounder royal_navy frigate command captain ball maintained pursuit running nautical miles opponent swung frigate starboard wind ball following close british frigate closing ordered men begin firing stern hauled engage firing broadside british ship ball shortened sail brought ship stern firing devastating broadside french frigate ball drew alongside ships fought close range broadside duel fire ball ship bringing minutes hour battle begun acknowledged damage ship struck colours aftermath badly damaged engagement lost heavy casualties including killed wounded losses damage lighter sailor killed wounded ball conducted hasty repairs brought captured february captured ship condemned port commander captain high quality ship naval facilities cape colony insufficient conduct necessary repairs french frigate subsequently commissioned royal_navy result rewards action unusually junior officers promoted aftermath battle prisoners taken royal_navy named subsequently court hanged indian_ocean theatre loss compounded weeks later capture action february left shortage available warships action december frigate intercepted destroyed commander command french admiral returned france subsequently retired
Action of 9 February 1799 (South Africa)