Cutting out of the Hermione

Cutting out of the Hermione
Part of the War of the Second Coalition

Santa Cecilia, the former Hermione, is cut out at Puerto Cabello by boats from HMS Surprise
Nicholas Pocock
Date25 October 1799
Location
Puerto Cabello, Captaincy General of Venezuela
Result British victory
Belligerents
Great Britain Spain
Commanders and leaders
Edward Hamilton Ramón Echalaz (POW)
Strength
100 ~400
1 frigate
Casualties and losses
12 wounded 120 killed
97 wounded
231 captured
1 frigate captured

The cutting out of the Hermione (also known as the capture of Hermione) was a naval action that took place at Puerto Cabello, Venezuela on 25 October 1799. The formerly British frigate HMS Hermione, which had been handed over to the Spanish by its crew following a vicious mutiny, lay in the heavily guarded sea port of Puerto Cabello, now under the command of Captain Ramón Echalaz.

A British frigate, HMS Surprise, was sent under Edward Hamilton to recapture Hermione. In naval terms this was called a cutting out operation—a boarding attack by small boats, preferably at night and against an unsuspecting and anchored target. This had become a popular tactic during the later 18th century.

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