The action of 2 January 1783 was a minor naval battle that took place in the Caribbean Sea during the last stages of the American War of Independence. Severe fighting between a Royal Navy frigate HMS Magicienne and a French frigate Sibylle went on for nearly two hours, but in that time both frigates were reduced to wrecks.
Action between HMS Magicienne and Sibylle, 2 January 1783 by Robert Dodd
A French view of the action
HMS Magicienne (left) lays dismasted after battling Sybille.
French frigate Magicienne (1778)
Magicienne was a frigate of the French Navy, lead ship of her class. The British captured her in 1781 and she served with the Royal Navy until her crew burned her in 1810 to prevent her capture after she grounded at Isle de France. During her service with the Royal Navy she captured several privateers and participated in the Battle of San Domingo.
HMS Magicienne and HMS Acasta at the Battle of San Domingo.
Magicienne dismasted after her fight against Sibylle (January 1783).
Magicienne, aground, being scuttled at the Battle of Grand Port.