Action of 24 June 1795

Action of 24 June 1795
Part of the French Revolutionary Wars
Capture of La Minerve off Toulon, 24 June 1795, Thomas Whitcombe.
Date 24 June 1795 Location Western Mediterranean Sea, 41°08′N 05°30′E / 41.133°N 5.500°E / 41.133; 5.500 Result British victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	France
Commanders and leaders
Captain George Henry Towry Captain Robert Gambier Middleton	Captain Jean-Baptiste Perrée Captain Charbonnier
Strength
Frigates HMS Dido and HMS Lowestoffe	Frigates Minerve and Artémise
Casualties and losses
6 killed, 18 wounded	c.30 casualties, Minerve captured

Coordinates: 41°08′N 05°30′E / 41.133°N 5.500°E / 41.133; 5.500 The Action of 24 June 1795 was a minor naval engagement fought in the Western Basin of the Mediterranean Sea on 24 June 1795 during the French Revolutionary Wars. During 1795 the Royal Navy and French Navy Mediterranean Fleets were vying for supremacy in the region, the French operating from the fortified port of Toulon and the British from the allied Spanish base of Port Mahon on Minorca. A minor British victory at the Battle of Genoa in March had not resolved the conflict, both sides suffering damage. The British, under Admiral William Hotham, subsequently withdrew to Minorca to meet a squadron of reinforcements while the French, under Contre-amiral Pierre Martin at Toulon, suffering from ill-discipline, had also been reinforced. By June, both fleets were ready to return to the Ligurian Sea.

To scout their opponents, Hotham at Minorca and Martin at Toulon both sent out small frigate squadrons to determine whether the enemy fleets were at sea. Hotham sent the small frigates HMS Dido and HMS Lowestoffe and Martin the larger Minerve and Artémise. On 24 June, at almost the midpoint between the two naval bases, these scouting squadrons encountered one another. Although the French initially retreated, once it became clear that their opponents were noticeably smaller they wore round and attacked.

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