Action of 17 June 1778

Action of 17 June 1778
Part of the American Revolutionary War
Combat de la Belle Poule et de l'Aréthusa by Auguste-Louis de Rossel de Cercy
Date 17 June 1778 Location 23 miles (37 km) south of The Lizard Result Minor British success
Belligerents
Great Britain	France
Commanders and leaders
Augustus Keppel	Jean Clocheterie
Strength
4 ships 1 third rate 1 fifth rate 1 sixth-rate 1 cutter	3 ships 2 frigates 1 corvette
Casualties and losses
1 ship damaged 44 casualties	1 frigate captured 1 corvette captured (both later released) 102 casualties [Note 1]

The action of 17 June 1778 also known as the Fight of Belle Poule and Arethusa was a minor naval action that took place off the coast of France between British and French frigates. The action was widely celebrated by both France and Great Britain and was the first between the two naval forces during the American Revolutionary War before a formal declaration of war was even announced.^[2]

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