Battle of Lissa

13 March 1811, Off the island of Lissa (Vis), Adriatic

British victory; one French frigate wrecked and two Italian frigates taken

Captain William Hoste's four frigates used the island of Lissa as a base for raiding Napoleon's coasts in the Adriatic. Commodore Bernard Dubourdieu came across from Ancona with six French and Venetian frigates and smaller craft and about 500 troops to take it. Hoste hoisted the signal 'Remember Nelson' and formed a tight line. Dubourdieu copied Nelson's tactics and came on in two columns to break it, but Hoste held course close to the shore, and Dubourdieu's flagship Favorite, trying to board Amphion, was swept by grapeshot; Dubourdieu was killed and Favorite ran aground and blew up. Flore struck to Amphion but escaped before she could be taken; Corona and Bellona were captured. Hoste was badly wounded. The battle left the British in control of the Adriatic.