Action of 5 May 1794

Action of 5 May 1794
Part of the French Revolutionary Wars
Date 5 May 1794 Location Off Île de France, Indian Ocean Result British victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	France
Commanders and leaders
Captain Henry Newcome
Strength
Frigate HMS Orpheus, distantly supported by HMS Centurion and HMS Resistance	Frigate Duguay Trouin and brig Vulcain
Casualties and losses
1 killed, 9 wounded	21 killed, 60 wounded, Duguay Trouin captured

The action of 5 May 1794 was a minor naval engagement fought in the Indian Ocean during the French Revolutionary Wars. A British squadron had been blockading the French island of Isle de France (now Mauritius) since early in the year, and early on 5 May discovered two ships approaching their position. As the strange vessels came closer, they were recognised as the French frigate Duguay Trouin, which had been captured from the East India Company the year before, and a small brig. Making use of a favourable wind, the British squadron gave chase to the new arrivals, which fled. The chase was short, as Duguay Trouin was a poor sailor with many of the crew sick and unable to report for duty. The British frigate HMS Orpheus was the first to arrive, and soon completely disabled the French frigate, successfully raking the wallowing ship. After an hour and twenty minutes the French captain surrendered, Captain Henry Newcome of Orpheus taking over the captured ship and bringing his prize back to port in India.