The
Action of 27 February 1809 was a minor naval engagement during the
French Revolutionary Wars. Two 44-gun frigates,
Pénélope and
Pauline, sortied from Toulon harbour to chase a British frigate,
HMS Proserpine, which was conduction surveillance of French movements. First sneaking undetected and later trying to pass herself as a British frigate coming to relieve
Proserpine,
Pénélope approached within gun range before being identified. With the help of
Pauline, she subdued
Proserpine and forced her to surrender after a one-hour fight.