On the 22nd of May 1812, the HMS Northumberland, under the command of Captain Henry Hotham, defeated the frigates Ariane (40) and Andromaque (40) in an engagement off the coast of Groix in northwestern France. The French squadron, comprised of the two 40-gun frigates and the 16-gun brig Mameluck, was returning to France, having completed a successful patrolling mission in which it secured 36 prizes from several nations. At 11:30 a.m., the French spotted the sails of the British 74-gun ship-of-the-line, and attempted to slip past the Northumberland by sailing through a shallow pass. Captain Jean-Baptiste-Henri Féretier, the commander of the Ariane and the squadron, signaled for the Andromaque, under the command of Captain Nicolas Morice, to take the lead, and released the Mameluck, under the command of Captain Galabert, to sail at will. At approximately 15:00, the French and British ships came within range of each other, and began exchanging broadsides, the French receiving support from shore batteries. The ensign who was leading the ships through the waterways was killed. At 17:45, the Andromaque ran aground, soon followed by the Ariane. Hotham, recognizing the danger, maneuvered the Northumberland to safer waters and repaired his ship. While fleeing to secure help, the Mameluck ran aground as well. As the tide receded, the French ships began to list, forcing their crews to throw artillery and cargo overboard. Having completed repairs, Northumberland returned with the 12-gun brig Growler, and began a two-hour bombardment resulting in the Andromaque catching fire and subsequently exploding. The Ariane, badly damaged, was abandoned and set afire, resulting in her explosion hours later. The Mameluck, though severely damaged and unable to sail, was rescued the following day, set afloat, and reached safety at Lorient on the 24th.

The Battle:

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For more on today's event:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_of_22_May_1812