The 1778 duel between the earlier HMS Arethusa and the French frigate Belle Poule occurred during the American Revolutionary War, before a formal declaration of war between Britain and France. Both ships were severely damaged, and Belle Poule lost more crew. Arethusa lost masts, was crippled, and had to withdraw. Her failure to gain the weather gauge adds tactical context to the damage and withdrawal remembered in "The Saucy Arethusa."
Notable Point · 11:56-12:34
The Belle Poule duel and the weather gauge
The 1778 duel left both frigates badly damaged, but mast losses forced Arethusa to withdraw after she failed to gain the weather gauge.