X-Nico

unusual facts about Action of 4 August 1800



Gun port

In the Action of 4 August 1800, the large East Indiaman Exeter passed herself as a 74-gun ship of the line when she endeavoured to chase the much stronger French frigate Médée; after sunset, she perfected the illusion by opening and illuminating all her gun ports, whether armed or not; her appearance was so convincing that when she caught up with Médée, the frigate struck as if hopelessly overpowered.


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