Lot Essay
The Battle fought on the 'Glorious First of June' 1794 was the first fleet action of Napoleonic Wars but ended in a tactical rather than a decisive British Victory
Admiral Lord Howe's orders were to prevent a large grain convoy from the Americas reaching France where there were serious food shortages resulting from the Royal Navy's blockade. The French fleet, under Admiral Villaret-Joyeuse, had put to sea specifically to counter this threat and escort the convoy home. After several weeks of patient patrolling, Howe finally sighted the French warships on 28 May, whereupon a running fight lasting three days ensued with the French having the advantage of heavy weather. On the morning of 1 June, with the weather much improved and the two fleets about four miles apart, Lord Howe seized the weather gage and attacked. His strategy was not entirely successful however, as the convoy slipped through to safety whilst the battle raged nearby; nevertheless,six French ship-of-the-line were taken as prizes and a seventh, Le Vengeur du Peuple, was sunk after a tremendous duel with H.M.S. Brunswick. The celebrated fight between Le Vengeur, under Captain Renaudin, and Brunswick, both 74-guns, began early in the day when Brunswick ran against Le Vengeur broadside on and the two ships began to pound each other mercilessly. Brunswick gave Le Vengeur a fearful battering and then grappled herself to the Frenchman, thereby gaining the final advantage since her gunners had flexible rammers and spongers mounted on stiff rope with which to clear and load their cannon. By comparison the French had only the older, inflexible woodon implements and thus, when the two ships were jammed together, had great difficulty in working their guns effectively. Other British vessels joined in the affray but only Le Trente-et-Un Mai was able to give Le Vengeur some temporary support. At about 4.30pm, Renaudin realised his ship was sinking beneath him and he ordered her colours to be struck. The victors sent their boats to take off her crew, but Le Vengeur sank before all could be saved. Despite her loss, it had been an epic fight and was to be a continual source of inspiration for the French navy during the years of struggle ahead.
Admiral Lord Howe's orders were to prevent a large grain convoy from the Americas reaching France where there were serious food shortages resulting from the Royal Navy's blockade. The French fleet, under Admiral Villaret-Joyeuse, had put to sea specifically to counter this threat and escort the convoy home. After several weeks of patient patrolling, Howe finally sighted the French warships on 28 May, whereupon a running fight lasting three days ensued with the French having the advantage of heavy weather. On the morning of 1 June, with the weather much improved and the two fleets about four miles apart, Lord Howe seized the weather gage and attacked. His strategy was not entirely successful however, as the convoy slipped through to safety whilst the battle raged nearby; nevertheless,six French ship-of-the-line were taken as prizes and a seventh, Le Vengeur du Peuple, was sunk after a tremendous duel with H.M.S. Brunswick. The celebrated fight between Le Vengeur, under Captain Renaudin, and Brunswick, both 74-guns, began early in the day when Brunswick ran against Le Vengeur broadside on and the two ships began to pound each other mercilessly. Brunswick gave Le Vengeur a fearful battering and then grappled herself to the Frenchman, thereby gaining the final advantage since her gunners had flexible rammers and spongers mounted on stiff rope with which to clear and load their cannon. By comparison the French had only the older, inflexible woodon implements and thus, when the two ships were jammed together, had great difficulty in working their guns effectively. Other British vessels joined in the affray but only Le Trente-et-Un Mai was able to give Le Vengeur some temporary support. At about 4.30pm, Renaudin realised his ship was sinking beneath him and he ordered her colours to be struck. The victors sent their boats to take off her crew, but Le Vengeur sank before all could be saved. Despite her loss, it had been an epic fight and was to be a continual source of inspiration for the French navy during the years of struggle ahead.