First battle of Cape Finisterre (1747)

The First Battle of Cape Finisterre (14 May 1747) saw 14 British ships of the line under Admiral George Anson attack a French 30-ship convoy commanded by Admiral de la Jonquière during the War of the Austrian Succession. The British captured 4 ships of the line, 2 frigates and 7 merchantmen, in a five-hour battle in the Bay of Biscay off Cape Finisterre in northwest Spain. The other supply ships escaped.

Anson on the Prince George and Rear-Admiral Sir Peter Warren on the Devonshire had sailed from Plymouth on the 9th of April to intercept French shipping. When a large convoy was sighted Admiral Anson had made the signal to form line of battle, when Rear-Admiral Warren, suspecting the enemy to be merely manoeuvring to favour the escape of the convoy, bore down and communicated his opinion to the admiral, who thereon threw out a signal for a general chase. The Centurion , under a press of sail, was the first to come up with the rearmost French ship, which she attacked heavily and two other ships dropped astern to her support. Three more English ships coming up including the Devonshire, the action became general. The French, though much inferior in numbers, fought till seven in the evening, when all their ships were taken, as well as nine sail of East India merhantmen. The enemy lost 700 men, killed and wounded, and the British 520. Upwards of £300,000 were found on board the ships of war, which were turned into British ships.

Following his victory, Anson was promoted to Vice Admiral and raised to the peerage.

Another convoy action - the Second Battle of Cape Finisterre - followed that October.

Ships involved:

Britain (George Anson)

Prince George 90 (flag)
Devonshire 66
Namur 74
Monmouth 64
Prince Frederick 64
Yarmouth 64
Princess Louisa 60
Nottingham 60
Defiance 60
Pembroke 60
Windsoe 60
Centurion 50
Falkland 50
Bristol 50
Ambuscade 40
Falcon 10
Vulcan 8 (fireship)

France (de la Jonquière)

Diamant* 30/56 - Captured, sunk later
Philibert* 30 - Captured
Vigilant* 20 - Captured
Chimère 36
Rubis 52 - Captured
Jason 50 - Captured
Sérieux 64 (flag) - Captured
Invincible 74 - Captured
Apollon* 30 - Captured
Thétis* 22 - Captured
Modeste* 18 - Captured
Gloire 40 - Captured
Emeraude 40
Dartmouth* 18 (ex-British privateer) - Captured
convoy of 24 ships or fewer - 6 captured

Ships marked * were of the French East India Company

Note

See also

• Battle of Cape Finisterre for other battles of this name