Action of 18 October 1782

Action of 18 October 1782
Part of the American War of Independence
Combat du Scipion contre le London, credited to Rossel de Crecy, on display at Toulon naval museum.
Date 18 October 1782 Location off present-day Hispaniola Result British victory
Belligerents
France	Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Nicolas Henri de Grimouard	James Kempthorne John Gidoin
Strength
Scipion (74) Sibylle (40)	HMS London (90) HMS Torbay (74)
Casualties and losses
15 killed 46 wounded 550 prisoners	11 killed 75 wounded

The Action of 18 October 1782 was a minor naval engagement of the American War of Independence, in which the French 74-gun ship of the line Scipion, accompanied by a frigate, was chased by two ships of the line, HMS London and Torbay. Outmanoeuvering her larger opponents, Scipion obtained a favourable position that allowed her to rake HMS London, causing severe damage and escaping.

The British resumed the chase, and Scipion struck a rock in Samana Bay, becoming a total loss.

References

• Allen, Joseph (1852). Battles of the British Navy. London: Henry Bohn. pp. 349–350. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=PVE2AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA350&dq=Scipion#PPA350,M1.