HMS Foudroyant and the french Pégase entering Portsmouth Harbour, 1782, Dominic Serres, 1782

20 April 1782 off the island of Ushant at the south western end of the Channel and HMS Foudroyant, a name that means thunder and lightening in French, was ordered along with others in the fleet of Vice Admiral Samuel Barrington, to pursue the French fleet. The Captain was John Jervis, a man who was a  was an admiral in the Royal Navy and Member of Parliament. He was recognized as an outstanding individual, a creator of efficient and professional fleets and who, going forward would be patron to Nelson. The French fleet was a convoy of 10 transports and escorted by two gun ships, the Protecteur and the Pégase along with a couple of frigates. 

The evening sun began to set and HMS Foudroyant bore down on the French ship Pégase. Despite squally difficult conditions, the English ship put in close to its French adversary and in little short of an hour, boarded her and forced the captain Chevalier de Sillaus, to surrender. The English crew fought a hard battle and killed 100 of the 700 crew, losing only a couple of men themselves.

Pégase was taken possession of and brought into Portsmouth Harbour. She became a Royal Naval ship and used as a prison ship from 1799 – 1815. John Jervis was knighted for his leadership during the battle.

Why Pégase’s  masts were cut here. So that she does not escape.