Action of 18 October 1782

Action of 18 October 1782
Part of the Anglo-French War
Combat du Scipion contre le London, credited to Rossel de Crecy, on display at Toulon naval museum.
Date 18-19 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 1 ship-of-the-line sunk	11 killed 75 wounded 1 ship-of-the-line severely damaged

The Action of 18 October 1782 was a minor naval engagement of the Anglo-French War, in which the French 74-gun ship of the line Scipion, accompanied by a frigate, was chased by two Royal Navy ships of the line, HMS London and Torbay. Outmanoeuvring 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 Samaná Bay, becoming a total loss.^[1]

Notes

References

• Allen, Joseph (1852). Battles of the British Navy. London: Henry Bohn. pp. 349–350. 

Coordinates: 19°11′N 69°19′W / 19.183°N 69.317°W / 19.183; -69.317