Battle of Tory Island

12 October 1798, Off Tory Island, County Donegal, Ireland

British victory; the French squadron destroyed

After the Irish rising of 1798, Commodore Bompart sailed from Brest with Hoche and eight frigates carrying 3,000 troops and Wolfe Tone, to land in Lough Swilly. British frigates shadowed them across the Atlantic, and Sir John Borlase Warren's squadron caught them off Tory Island in a gale. Hoche, her topmasts already gone, was attacked by ship after ship and struck after four hours with her hull shattered. Embuscade, Coquille and Bellone were also taken. Five frigates escaped, but three of them were run down in the next eight days. Wolfe Tone was found among Hoche's prisoners, tried for treason and died in prison. It was the last French attempt to invade Ireland.