Naval Historical Society of Australia
Preserving Australia's Naval History
The 5th-rate, HMS SAN FIORENZO, (CAPT G. N. Hardinge, RN), captured the French ship PIETMONTAISE, (40 guns), in a battle which lasted three days.
CAPT Hardinge was killed in the battle. The victory gave the RN control of the Indian Ocean.
HMS SAN FIORENZO was the French ship MINERVE, captured at Corsica in 1794. CAPT Hardinge was presented with two prize swords for this action which are now on display at the Historical Collection of HMAS CRESWELL.
HMC Schooner CUMBERLAND, (CMDR Matthew Flinders, RN), was seized by the Captain General of Mauritius, Charles Mathieu Decaen. Flinders was held prisoner for five and a half years. He was released on 19 June 1809 after the island was blockaded by a British Squadron.
CAPT James Colnett, RN, in HMS GLATTON, was appointed Senior Officer of His Majesty’s Ships and Vessels in Port Jackson.
LEUT John Murray, RN, in HMC brig LADY NELSON, explored and took possession of Port Phillip.
He named the bay in honour of the first Governor of NSW, CAPT Arthur Phillip, RN.
A battery of two guns was established on Garden Island, to protect Sydney from a French attack.
The garrison of 12 Marines was commanded by Henry Hacking.