John Askew (fl. 1788-1809)

On 23 April 1794 a small squadron of four British frigates cruising off the Channel Islands sighted the French ships L'Engageante, 36 guns, Résolue, 36 guns, Pomone, 44 guns, and Babet, 20 guns, in the distance. As the French formed a line of battle, the Arethusa, Concorde, Melampus and Flora came up to windward and bore down on them. At 6.30 am., led by the Flora, under the command of Commodore Sir John Borlase Warren, the frigates opened fire on the enemy. A fierce action ensued, with Flora losing her top mainmast in the opening salvoes. Despite this early setback, with the capture of Babet at 8.30 am., the tide soon turned in the favour of the British and L'Engageante and Résolue tried to make their escape, pursued by Concorde and Melampus. However, Pomone had already been much damaged by Flora's fire and Arethusa, under the command of Captain Sir Edward Pellew, soon completed Pomone's discomfiture, shooting away both her main and mizen-masts before setting her on fire. At 9.30 am. Pomone struck her colours, and although Résolue managed to escape her pursuers, L'Engageante was also captured at 1.45 pm.