Action of 9 August 1780

Part of the American War of Independence

The British convoy of 63 ships with all but 8 ships captured by the fleet under Luis de Cordova. Watercolour, late 18th century, National Maritime Museum.

Date	9 August 1780
Location	Between The Azores and Cape St. Vincent
Result	Spanish victory

Belligerents

Kingdom of Spain

Kingdom of France

Great Britain

Commanders and leaders

Luis de Córdova

Jose de Mazarredo

John Moutray

Strength

31 ships of the line
6 Frigates

1 Ship of the line
3 Frigates
5 East Indiamen
55 Merchant ships

Casualties and losses

None

52 Merchant ships captured
5 East Indiamen captured
3,144 prisoners
Several dead or wounded

The Action of 9 August 1780 was a naval engagement of the American War of Independence, in which a Spanish fleet, led by Admiral Luis de Córdova y Córdova, along with a squadron of French ships, encountered a large British convoy. The Spanish and French force captured almost all the British vessels, which dealt a severe blow to the commerce of Great Britain.

The British convoy, led by Sir John Moutray, captain of HMS Ramillies and three frigates, sailed from Portsmouth on 27 July. On 9 August, they encountered the Spanish fleet.

The Spaniards captured 52 of 55 British vessels, making it one of the most complete naval captures ever made. The British lost 80,000 muskets, equipment for 40,000 troops, 294 cannons (the normal British troop size during the American Independence War was 40,000 troops), and 3,144 men. The financial impact of the losses were estimated to be around £1,500,000 (£1,000,000 in gold and £500,000 – £600,000 in equipment and ships). The action also helped to derail a secret British diplomatic effort to make peace with Spain. The loss was still bitterly remembered in Great Britain 30 years later, at the height of the Napoleonic Wars.

The British convoy sailed from Portsmouth, and consisted of 55 sailing vessels. The convoy included East Indiamen, West Indiamen, 18 victuallers, military storeships, and transports carrying the 90th Regiment of Foot. The troops were intended for service in the West Indies, and they had tents and camp equipment with them. Besides arms, ammunition, and a train of artillery, the five East India vessels carried a large quantity of naval-stores to supply the British squadron in that area.

On the morning of 2 August, the convoy fell in with the Channel Fleet. The Channel Fleet accompanied the convoy for several hours, to a point 112 leagues off the Isles of Scilly, where the two groups of ships parted company.

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Wikipedia