Battle of the Basque Roads: Royal Navy attacks the French fleet

Background. By 1809, the Royal Navy dominated the Atlantic. The French Atlantic Fleet, trapped in Biscay ports, attempted to break out from Brest in February to reinforce Martinique. Chased by British squadrons, the French anchored in the Basque Roads near Rochefort. The Admiralty ordered Lord Cochrane to lead an attack, despite objections from senior officers.

The Attack. Cochrane organized an inshore squadron of fireships and bomb vessels, including a converted frigate. He personally led this force into the Basque Roads on the evening of 11 April. Cochrane expected Admiral Gambier to follow with the main fleet to destroy the vulnerable French force, but Gambier refused. Cochrane continued the battle over several days, destroying several French ships with little support.

Aftermath. The battle lasted from 11 to 24 April 1809. In 1847, the Admiralty authorized the Naval General Service Medal with the clasp 'Basque Roads 1809' for surviving claimants. The action involved a hastily assembled squadron of small, unorthodox British warships against the main strength of the French Atlantic Fleet.