Jump to content

Action of 8 May 1744

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by NicoScPo (talk | contribs) at 20:28, 21 January 2012. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Action of 8 May 1744
Part of the War of the Austrian Succession

Capture of Northumberland, by Ambroise Louis Garneray
Date8 May 1744
Location
off Berlengas[1]
Result French victory[2]
Belligerents
Kingdom of France France  Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Hubert de Brienne Captain Thomas Watson  †
Strength
2 Ships of the line
1 Sixth-rate		 1 Ship of the line
Casualties and losses
Light 1 ship of the line captured

The Action of 8 May 1744 was a minor naval engagement of the War of the Austrian Succession in which two French ships of the line, the Content of 60 guns, and the Mars of 64, captured the British ship of the line HMS Northumberland, after a desperate action by the latter of 4 hours.[3] Watson, captain of the British ship and the 2d Lieutenant, among several other men were killed.[4]

Action

On 8th May, Sir Charles Hardy's squadron cruising off Berlengas discovered a sail in the northward, and the Northumberland was ordered to chase in that direction.[5] The enemy sail was made out by the Northumberland to be a French ship of the line, and to be accompanied by two other ships; one of 60, and the other a frigate.[6]

Watson, Instead of signalling the force of the ships in sight to the vice-admiral, continued standing towards them under full sail, and was soon out of sight of his own fleet.[7] The French ships were much separated;[8] and at 5h. P. M. having arrived up with the stern most, which proved to be the Mars, that ship opened a heavy fire upon the Northumberland, which was immediately returned with vigour. But Captain Watson, whose bravery must ever be considered to have ranked higher than his discretion, instead of continung to engage the Mars, pushed on and endeavoured to close the Content also; maintaining all the time, a running action with the Mars.[9]

When the French ship Content approached, a most furious battle took place. After nine hours of fighting by the Northumberland was rendered wholly unmanageable, and having had her wheel knocked to pieces, the ship flew up into the wind. At the same time Captain Watson was mortally wounded; and the master of the ship, who was later court-martialled, struck the British colours.[10][11]

Notes

  1. ^ Dupont/Taillemite p.79
  2. ^ Troude p.299
  3. ^ Dupont/Taillemite p.79
  4. ^ Troude p.299
  5. ^ Allen p.143
  6. ^ Guérin p. 258
  7. ^ Guérin p. 258
  8. ^ Allen p.143
  9. ^ Guérin p. 258
  10. ^ Guérin p. 258
  11. ^ Allen p.143

References

  • Template:Fr iconMaurice Dupont, Étienne Taillemite. Les guerres navales françaises: du Moyen Age à la guerre du Golfe.
  • Template:Fr iconLéon Guérin. Histoire maritime de France:contenant l'histoire des provinces et villes maritimes, des combats de mer depuis la fondation de Marseille, 600 ans avant J.-C., de la flibuste, des navigations, voyages autour du monde, naufrages, célèbres, découvertes, colonisations, de la marine en général, avant, pendant et depuis le règne de Louis XIV jusqu'à l'année 1850, Vol. IV
  • Template:Fr iconO. Troude. Batailles navales de la France, Vol. I
  • Joseph Allen. (1872) Battles of the British Navy: from A.D. 1000 to 1840. Bell & Daldy Publishing. ASIN B00087UD9S

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Action_of_8_May_1744&oldid=472490598"