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Explanation: During the US Civil War, two ships - one of the original Union, the other of the secessionist slaver Confederacy - had a knock-down drag-out fight off the coast of... France.
For bonus points, the French navy literally escorted the Confederate ship out of the harbor, for the sole reason of making sure that the fight didn't occur close enough to the city to endanger any French lives.
TAKE IT OUTSIDE, YOU DAMN AMERICANS
TIL about the Battle of Cherbourg. The Wikipedia page for the CSS Alabama has a nice write-up of the battle.
The captain of CSS Alabama issued a cocky challenge to the Union ship Kearsarge, which was waiting outside the harbor:
my intention is to fight the Kearsarge as soon as I can make the necessary arrangements. I hope these will not detain me more than until to-morrow or the morrow morning at farthest. I beg she will not depart until I am ready to go out. I have the honor to be Your obedient servant, R. Semmes, Captain.
When the time comes for battle, CSS Alabama proceeded to get shot to pieces in an hour. Then, the cherry on top:
As Alabama sank, the injured Semmes threw his sword into the sea, depriving Kearsarge's commander, Winslow, of the traditional surrender of the sword (an act which was seen as dishonorable by many at the time).
Lol, get rekt Semmes, you sore loser.
Cascading style sheet Alabama