The action of 11 July 1804 was a minor naval engagement fought between the Royal Navy and the French Imperial Navy in the Bay of Hiérès, off Le Lavandou. On 11 July, at night, 10 boats belonging to the Royal Navy frigates , , and , under the orders of Lieutenant John Thompson, attacked 12 French settees, lying at Lavandou, in Hiérès Bay, moored with chains to the beach, and covered by a battery of three guns.Allen 1852, ii, pp. 86–7. The British force destroyed most of the French small craft, but at great cost.
Opposing forces
British
, Capt. Ross Donnelly , Capt. Courtenay Boyle , Capt. George Elliot 10 ship's boats, Lt. John Thompson, of the Narcissus, with Lts. John Richard Lumley, Ogle Moore, and Hyde Parker, mates, and Midn. Robert Maunsell, Samuel Spencer, William Walker, John George Victor, and *** Hamilton
French
12 settees 3-gun shore battery
Battle On 11 July, at 10 p.m.,Allen 1852, ii, p. 86. ten boats of the Royal Navy frigates Narcissus, 32 guns, Captain Ross Donnelly, Seahorse, 38 guns, Captain Courtenay Boyle, and Maidstone, 32 guns, Captain George Elliot, forming part of Lord Nelson's squadron blockading Toulon, attacked a dozen small French craft (also identified as settees) at Lavandou (La Vandour) in Hiérès Bay.Clowes 1900, v, pp. 345–6.
The French were fully prepared, and received the British boats, which were under the orders of Lieutenants John Thompson, John Richard Lumley, Ogle Moore, and Hyde Parker, with a tremendous fire.Clowes 1900, v, p. 346. About or just before midnight, under fire from the settees and the troops on shore, the French vessels were boarded, and all, except one, which was brought off, set on fire.Allen 1852, ii, p. 87.
Casualties The British force was led and handled in a manner which won warm praise from Nelson, and destroyed most of the French small craft, but only with terrible loss. Thomas Owen Roche, midshipman, two seamen, and one marine, were killed; and Lieutenant Lumley (lost an arm), Robert Maunsell, mate, Thomas W. Bedingfield, Thomas A. Watt, and John G. Victor, midshipmen, fifteen seamen, and three marines, wounded. Most of the above officers received swords or other testimonials of their gallantry from the Patriotic Fund. "Wounds", said Nelson in a general order on this affair, "are marks of honour; they must be expected."Nav. Chron., xii, p. 316.Nicolas 1846, p. 108.James 1826, iii, p. 392.
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