First battle of Cape Finisterre (1747)

The First Battle of Cape Finisterre was a naval battle which took place on 14 May 1747 (3 May 1747 in the Julian calendar then in use in Britain) during the War of the Austrian Succession, in the Bay of Biscay off Cape Finisterre in northwest Spain, between a British fleet of 16 ships of the line under Admiral George Anson in Centurion, and a French convoy escorted by a squadron commanded by Admiral de la Jonquière which he intercepted. In a five-hour battle the British captured seven merchantmen, four ships of the line, and two frigates. The rest of the supply ships escaped.

Related Topics:
Naval battle - 14 May - 1747 - 3 May - Julian calendar - War of the Austrian Succession - Bay of Biscay - Cape Finisterre - Spain - British - Ships of the line - George Anson - ''Centurion'' - French - Convoy - Frigate

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

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

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