Action of 24 March 1811

rdf:langString Action of 24 March 1811

rdf:langString Action of 24 March 1811

rdf:langString Location of the destruction of Amazone

rdf:langString Map of Lower Normandy

rdf:langString Amazone destroyed

rdf:langString Two killed, one wounded

rdf:langString French Empire

rdf:langString the Napoleonic Wars

rdf:langString near Phare de Gatteville, Normandy

rdf:langString British victory

rdf:langString The action of 24 March 1811 was a minor naval engagement of the Napoleonic Wars, fought as part of the Royal Navy blockade of the French English Channel ports. By 1811, Royal Navy control of the French coast was so entrenched that French ships were unable to travel safely even in French territorial waters. In late 1810, French frigates and sailed from Le Havre to join with a larger squadron at Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, but were intercepted by a British frigate squadron and forced to shelter at Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue. There they came under sustained attack and Elisa was destroyed, Amazone successfully slipping back to Le Havre under cover of darkness. To prevent Amazone from escaping once more, the British blockade squadron was reinforced. On the evening of 23 March 1811, Amazone left Le Havre once more, sailing west towards Cherbourg through the night. Escaping the ships watching Le Havre, Amazone was sighted at dawn on 24 March weathering Cape Barfleur by ship of the line HMS Berwick, which pursued the French frigate into a bay 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) west of the Phare de Gatteville lighthouse. There Berwick, reinforced by a squadron of smaller ships, attacked Amazone but was unable to approach through the rocks and shoals of the coast. Plans were made overnight to attack the frigate with ship's boats, but on the following day the French Captain set his ship on fire to prevent its capture.