Action of 4 January 1781
| Action of 4 January 1781 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the American Revolutionary War | |||||||
Model of HMS Valiant | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Great Britain | France | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Samuel Goodall Lord Mulgrave |
Louis-Marie Tanouarn Nicolas de Grimouard | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 2 ships of the line | 4 frigates | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | 1 frigate captured | ||||||
The action of 4 January 1781 was a minor battle of the American Revolutionary War. A French frigate division, departing Brest, met two British 74-gun ships of the line. The frigates tried to flee their stronger opponents, which gave chase. One of the frigates sacrificed herself to allow the others to escape.