Action of 15 July 1805

The action of 15 July 1805 was a small naval action that took place off Chausey, on the coast of Normandy, involving two British gun-brigs on one side, and seven gunboats and a dogger on the other. The becalmed gun-brigs became easy targets for the row-powered gunboats, which were able to manoeuver as to overpower them and force their surrender.

Battle
The gun-brigs HMS Plumper (1804) and HMS Teazer (1804) were spotted anchored off Chausey, and news was carried to Commander Joseph Collet, commanding officer of the 1st gunboat division of the Boulogne Flottilla stationned in Granville. Collet departed Granville on 15 July at 21:00, leading seven gunboats and a dogger.

As soon as they spotted the French gunboats, the British brigs attempted to set sail, but they were becalmed. Unable to may ground against the currents, they were forced to drop anchor. By 3:30, the gunboats had manoeuvred into favourable positions, and they attacked Plumper. Her captain, Georges Ker, was severely wounded in the first volleys, and her defence slackened until she struck her colours at 5pm.

Having overpowered Plumper, Collet anchored his ships to give his rowers some rest, and one hour later he pressed his attack on Teazer. She struck at 7:30pm.

Aftermath
Badly damaged, the two brigs were taken to Granville. Plumper in particular was in a sinking condition, and barely reached Granville before she ran aground. Collet was slightly wounded by a splinter, but otherwise there were no reported casualties.

Plumper was brought into service in the French Navy, where she served under the same name until 1820. Teazer was also commissioned in the French Navy, and served under the same name until she was recaptured by HMS Diana and HMS Semiramis on 15 August 1811.