Action of 2 September 1781

Part of the American Revolutionary War

Date	2 September 1781
Location	Cape Ann
Result	British victory

Belligerents

Great Britain

France

Commanders and leaders

Andrew Snape Douglas

Chevalier Bouchetierre

Strength

1 Frigate

Casualties and losses

1 killed & 1 wounded

Magicienne captured
32 killed & 54 wounded

The Action of 2 September 1781 was a minor naval engagement fought off Cape Ann during the American War of Independence; HMS Chatham captured the French frigate Magicienne after a fight of a few hours.

On 2 September, the British fifty gun fourth rate HMS Chatham under Captain Andrew Snape Douglas was cruising off Cape Ann near Boston harbour and spotted the French frigate Magicienne. She was a thirty six gun 800 ton frigate that was serving in comte d'Orvilliers fleet and was commanded by the Chevalier Bouchetierre with 280 men.

Douglas ordered action stations, and the Chatham hove to and after a few hours chase opened the action; she overtook the French frigate. After an hour's action, the Chatham got the better of the French and Magicienne soon struck.

The Chatham had only one man killed and one wounded while losses on the Magicienne were heavy; 32 killed and 54 wounded with the rest being taken prisoner. She was subsequently taken to Halifax and recommissioned in the Royal Navy as HMS Magicienne.

Subsequently the action thwarted a planned French assault on British ships in the Saint John River.

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Wikipedia