On the 15th of March 1808, the French frigate Sémillante began an engagement with the HMS Terpsichore that continued for the next several days. The French 40 gunner approached, and fired a shot at, the British 32-gun frigate. After the Sémillante fired a second shot, the Terpsichore’s captain, William Augustus Montagu, ordered return fire and a battle ensued. The French ship, under the command of Captain Léonard-Bernard Motard, closed with the British frigate, throwing combustibles onto the Terpsichore’s deck. This caused a large explosion and fires. For the next hour, the two frigates battled until the Sémillante disengaged and started to flee. The Terpsichore pursued her for several days until the French ship lightened its load and escaped.

For more information on today's event:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Terpsichore_(1785)