Action of 12 December 1782

Action of 12 December 1782
Part of the American Revolutionary War
HMS Mediator engaging French and American vessels, 12 December 1782 L’Aimable Eugénie on the right captained by Nicolas Baudin is seen fleeing from the action.
Date 12 December 1782 Location Off Ferrol, Spain Result British victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	France  United States
Commanders and leaders
James Luttrell	Nicolas Baudin
Strength
1 Roebuck-class fifth rate	1 ship of the line (en flûte) 1 frigate 1 armed transport 2 American privateers
Casualties and losses
7 casualties	1 ship of the line captured 1 privateer captured 9 killed 16 wounded 340 captured

The action of 12 December 1782 was a naval engagement fought off the coast of Spain near Ferrol, in which the British 40-gun fifth rate HMS Mediator successfully attacked a convoy of five armed ships. Mediator succeeded in capturing one American privateer, the Alexander, and then captured the French ex-ship of the line La Ménagère. The convoy was part of Pierre Beaumarchais's supply chain to the American colonists.