Raking fire
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In naval warfare during the Age of Sail, raking fire was cannon fire directed parallel to the long axis of an enemy ship from ahead or astern. Although each shot was directed against a smaller profile
Painting of the British East Indiaman Bridgewater (right) raking the American privateer Hampden (left)
Glorious First of June
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The Glorious First of June, also known as the Third Battle of Ushant and the Fourth Battle of Ushant, was a fleet action fought on 1 June 1794 between the British and French navies during the War of t
Raking fire
…Pierre-Charles Villeneuve survived, and although he was not captured for three hours, the raking put Bucentaure out of the fight. In the Royal Navy's Glorious First of June (1 June 1794) battle, Admiral Richard Howe ordered his British fleet to turn through the French line and rake the opposing ships. While only a small…
Lord Howe's Action, or the Glorious First of June Philip James de Loutherbourg, 1795
Villaret de Joyeuse, the French commander at the battle
Ship model of Vengeur du Peuple
Lord Howe on the Deck of the Queen Charlotte (Mather Brown, 1794)