Combat· American Revolutionary War
Hague action off Guadeloupe
In January 1783 the Continental Navy frigate Hague ran aground on a reef off Guadeloupe in the West Indies and was cannonaded by British warships for two days.
Captain John Manley had taken command in September 1782, and Lieutenant of Marines William Waterman remained on board for the West Indies cruise. About 300 miles east of Antigua on January 9, 1783, the 44-gun enemy frigate Dolphin was sighted and Manley decided to run. Next morning four 74-gun ships-of-the-line joined the Dolphin in a 36-hour chase. Manley tried to reach the French forts covering Baie Mahault on the eastern side of Guadeloupe, but ran aground on a reef between the island and Grand Terre. The British tried to warp in, but each time shoal water and the frigate's accurate fire kept them at a distance. Manley got the Hague into deep water and under the protection of the French forts, where he remained until late January repairing her damaged hull and rigging. Early in May the Hague returned to Boston.
Record no. 156