Fantastic painting by DGM Gardner showing the naval action between Royal Navy Frigate HMS Nymphe and French Frigate Cleopatre on 18 June 1793.
It was a hard fought encounter which found the Royal navy vessel victorious.
The Nymphe spotted the Cleopatre off the Devon coast and closed to investigate, the Cleopatre initially attempted to flee but the Royal Navy vessel soon gained ground and the French vessel turned to engage. The action started at 0615 and lasted about 50 minutes culminating with the British crew boarding the French vessel and capturing her. During the engagement the Nymphe lost 50 men whilst the Cleopatre lost 63 including her Captain. The Cleopatre was towed back to England as a prize with nearly £8,000 being awarded to the Royal Navy Captain and crew. The Cleopatre was renamed HMS Oiseau and served in the Royal Navy until 1816.
It was a hard fought encounter which found the Royal navy vessel victorious.
The Nymphe spotted the Cleopatre off the Devon coast and closed to investigate, the Cleopatre initially attempted to flee but the Royal Navy vessel soon gained ground and the French vessel turned to engage. The action started at 0615 and lasted about 50 minutes culminating with the British crew boarding the French vessel and capturing her. During the engagement the Nymphe lost 50 men whilst the Cleopatre lost 63 including her Captain. The Cleopatre was towed back to England as a prize with nearly £8,000 being awarded to the Royal Navy Captain and crew. The Cleopatre was renamed HMS Oiseau and served in the Royal Navy until 1816.
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