Action of 30 May 1781

Action of 30 May 1781
Part of the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War
The Battle of Cape St Mary, Joseph Marianus
Date 30 May 1781 Location Off Cape of St. Mary, Mediterranean Result British victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	Dutch Republic
Commanders and leaders
Thomas Pakenham William Freeman	Gerardus Oorthuys Pieter Melvill (POW)
Strength
2 frigates	2 frigates
Casualties and losses
27 killed 65 wounded 1 frigate damaged	42 killed 84 wounded 240 captured 1 frigate damaged 1 frigate captured

The action of 30 May 1781 was a naval battle fought between two frigates of the Royal Navy and two of the Dutch Republic off the Barbary Coast. In the Netherlands it is known as the zeegevecht bij Kaap Sint-Marie (sea battle of Cape St Mary, after the Cabo de Santa Maria). In a battle lasting more than two hours, Captain William Peere Williams-Freeman of the Flora (36 guns), compelled Captain Pieter Melvill's Castor (36 guns) to strike her colours. Shortly after, Captain Gerardus Oorthuys of den Briel (36 guns) compelled Thomas Pakenham to strike Crescent (28 guns). However, Flora came to Crescent's rescue before Oorthuys could board her, and forced him to retreat.