 The Action of 10 April 1795 was a minor naval engagement during the French Revolutionary Wars in which a squadron of French Navy frigates was intercepted by a British battle squadron under Rear @-@ Admiral John Colpoys which formed part of the blockade of the French naval base of Brest in Brittany . The French squadron split up in the face of superior British numbers , the three vessels seeking to divide and outrun the British pursuit . One frigate , Gloire was followed by the British frigate HMS Astraea and was ultimately brought to battle in a closely fought engagement . Although the ships were roughly equal in size , the British ship was easily able to defeat the French in an engagement lasting just under an hour . 
