Ships of the line generally left frigates alone during fleet engagements, and frigates were expected to refrain from attacking them. Captain Claude Jean Martin broke that convention when Sérieuse fired on HMS Orion. James Saumarez replied with a single double-shotted broadside at close range. The frigate became a wreck and drifted out of the action, showing how little protection its lighter construction offered against a ship of the line at that distance.
Notable Point · 2:00:57-2:02:13
Why Sérieuse could not survive Orion's broadside
Sérieuse broke the usual convention protecting frigates during fleet actions and suffered a wrecking broadside from the much heavier Orion.