HMS Mediator - Blog Posts

Engagement between HMS Mediator and three French and two American Ships, by Montague Dawson (c) Christie's

HMS Mediator was a 44-gun fifth rate of the Royal Navy. On 11 December 1782 she was commanded by Captain James Luttrell and waiting off Ferrol to intercept an American frigate. Luttrell found a squadron of three French and two American vessels, all heavily armed and with an aggregate of over six hundred men heading for Port au Prince. These formed a line of battle and presented a formidable appearance as the Mediator faced them.

Undaunted, Luttrell bore down on them and in a close action cut off one of the largest American privateers, the Alexander, compelling her to surrender. She subsequently captured the French Eugène and Ménagère.

The following day a desperate but unsuccessful attempt was made by the prisoner to set fire to the Mediator. The captured stores from the ships were brought safely to England.