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. The French battleship Orient burns, 1 August 1798, during the Battle of the Nile A naval battle is a battle fought using ships or other waterborne vessels. ... Jump to: navigation, search May 14 is the 134th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (135th in leap years). ... // Events January 31 - The first venereal diseases clinic opens at London Dock Hospital April 9 - The Scottish Jacobite Lord Lovat was beheaded by axe on Tower Hill, London, for high treason; he was the last man to be executed in this way in Britain May 14 - First battle of Cape... Jump to: navigation, search May 3 is the 123rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (124th in leap years). ... // Events January 31 - The first venereal diseases clinic opens at London Dock Hospital April 9 - The Scottish Jacobite Lord Lovat was beheaded by axe on Tower Hill, London, for high treason; he was the last man to be executed in this way in Britain May 14 - First battle of Cape... Jump to: navigation, search The Julian calendar was introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC, taking force in 45 BC (709 ab urbe condita). ... The War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748). ... ESA photo, phytoplankton bloom along the Bay of Biscay Not to be confused with the North American Biscayne Bay. ... Position of Cape Finisterre on the Iberian Peninsula Cape Finisterre, in Spanish Cabo Finisterre, literally Cape Lands End, is a rock-bound peninsula in the north-west of Spain. ... Ships of the line were 1st, 2nd, or 3rd-rated ships in the rating system of the Royal Navy. ... George Anson, 1st Baron Anson (April 23, 1697 - 1762) was a British admiral and a wealthy aristocrat, noted for his circumnavigation of the globe. ... A convoy is a group of vehicles or ships traveling together for mutual support. ... Ships of the line were 1st, 2nd, or 3rd-rated ships in the rating system of the Royal Navy. ... Frigate is a name which has been used for several distinct types of warships at different times. ...

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. The Second Battle of Cape Finisterre was a naval battle which took place on 25 October 1747 (14 October 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 well...

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* - Captured
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.

See Also

• Battle of Cape Finisterre for other battles of this name.