Action of 21 April 1806

Action of 21 April 1806
Part of the Napoleonic Wars
The Action of 21 April 1806 as depicted by Pierre-Julien Gilbert. The two events were in fact separated by several hours.
Date 21 April 1806 Location Natal, South Africa Result Inconclusive Successful French escape.
Belligerents
France	United Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
Captain César-Joseph Bourayne	Captain John Osborn
Strength
Canonnière (40)	HMS Tremendous (74) HMS Hindostan (50)
Casualties and losses
7 killed 25 wounded	No casualties

Inconclusive

HMS Tremendous (74)

7 killed

Coordinates: 30°45′S 30°05′E / 30.750°S 30.083°E / -30.750; 30.083 The Action of 21 April 1806 was a minor engagement between a French frigate and British forces off South Africa during the Napoleonic Wars. The Île Bonaparte and Île de France constituted French outposts in the Indian Ocean, from which privateers and frigate squadrons could engage in commerce raiding and disrupt British shipping. After encountering a strongly escorted British convoy, the 40-gun Cannonière attempted to flee, but was rejoined by the 74-gun HMS Tremendous]. In the ensuing battle, Captain Bourayne displayed superior sailmanship and managed to fend off his much stronger opponent by a combination of manoeuvers that rendered the batteries of Tremendous ineffective, and threatened her with sustaining raking fire. The French frigate thus managed to evade and escape.

In 1806, a French squadron under admiral Linois operated the Indian Ocean. In addition to the usual frigates and corvettes, in this case the Belle Poule, Sémillante, Berceau and Aventurier, the flaghip of the squadron was a 74-gun ship of the line, the Marengo.

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