Action of 18 October 1782

Action of 18 October 1782
Part of the American Revolutionary War
Combat du Scipion contre le London, Rossel de Crecy
Date 17–18 October 1782 Location off Hispaniola, Caribbean Sea 19°11′N 69°19′W / 19.183°N 69.317°W / 19.183; -69.317 Result British victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	France
Commanders and leaders
James Kempthorne	Nicolas de Grimouard
Strength
2 ships of the line	1 ship of the line 1 frigate
Casualties and losses
11 killed 75 wounded 1 ship of the line damaged	15 killed 46 wounded 1 ship of the line sunk

The action of 18 October 1782 was a minor naval engagement of the American Revolutionary War, in which the French 74-gun ship of the line Scipion, accompanied by the 40-gun frigate Sibylle, was chased by two Royal Navy ships of the line, the 98-gun HMS London and the 74-gun Torbay. Outmanoeuvring her larger opponents, Scipion obtained a favourable position that allowed her to rake London, causing severe damage and allowing her to continue running from the superior British force. Scipion went to anchor in Samaná Bay but while doing so hit a rock and sank, while Sibylle succeeded in escaping the area.