On this page every month we list some of the major events that have influenced the course of Britannia’s long naval history. Incidents that went to shape the emerging American navy are recorded, too. But this selection is not to deny that sailors everywhere are all fundamentally the same, sharing a love of the seas and the ships who sail them.


1st March 1799 Sybille captured French Forte in Bay of Bengal. A fine night action, the Forte was found to have three hundred cannon shot in her hull

1st March 1814 Capture of US letter of marque Argus by San Domingo off Bermuda

1st March 1807 Boats from the Glatton entered the Turkish port of Sigri, and heroically cut out a treasure-ship at the cost of the life of Lt Watson, who led the attack

2nd March 1800 French privateer Vengeance comprehensively defeated by smaller Nereide

2nd March 1808 The Danish Admiral Jawl 28 closed within 20 miles of Flamborough Head to seize coastal shipping. Instead she was captured by Sappho 18

3rd March 1799 After an outstandingly gallant defence, Leander 50 was captured by Genereux and taken to Corfu, where attempts were made to suborn her crew. Leander was restored to the Royal Navy by the capture of Corfu by the Russians

3rd March 1807 Vice Admiral Duckworth emerged from the Dardanelles after successfully attacking Constantinople and taking all shipping prizes

7th March 1795 Berwick, crippled and under jury rig, set upon by French Alceste, Vestale and Minerve in San Fiorenzo Bay and captured

8th March 1796 Neira Island in the Moluccas was captured by a landing party from Canterbury and other ships. Unusually prize money was awarded for this land action - a Captain's share was £15 000

9th March 1797 French Resistance was captured by Nymphe, Captain Pellew. She had landed the only French invading force England saw at Fishguard in Wales. She was therefore taken into the Royal Navy as Fisgard, the name of Julian's first training ship

11th March 1815 USS Constitution just escapes as Acasta and others free one prize but lose another to her

13th March 1793 First engagement with the French in the war; Scourge takes Sans Culotte off Scilly

13th March 1811 Battle of Lissa. A combined Franco-Venetian fleet of four 44s and six frigates are attacked by Amphion 32, Capt Hoste, and three others. In a brilliantly managed action, four enemy were taken or destroyed, the rest fleeing

17th March 1800 Mutineers took Danae into Brest. The mutineers were immediately clapped in prison and the British officers released on parole

21st March 1800 Peterel 16 seized Ligurienne and two vessels of her convoy off Marseilles. She was commanded by Fred, Jane Austen's brother

22nd March 1808 Danish Prinds Christian Frederik 74, was captured by Nassau and Stately, but she went ashore on Sjaellands Odde, Kattegat, being burnt the next day. The Royal Danish Navy now maintains an artillery school at the site

25th March 1804 Penguin destroyed privateer Renommee in bitter fight off coast of Africa

27th March 1811 The same officer, Capt Maurice, who defended HMS Diamond Rock, the island off Martinique, beat off a Danish invasion force trying to take back the strategic island of Anholt, itself in commission as a Royal Navy ship

28th March 1814 USS Essex and Essex Junior captured by Phoebe and Cherub off Valparaiso