Action of 8 January 1780

The action of 8 January 1780 was a naval encounter off Cape Finisterre between a British Royal Naval fleet under Admiral Sir George Rodney, and a fleet of Spanish merchants sailing in convoy with seven warships of the Caracas Company, under the command of Commodore Don Juan Augustin de Yardi. During the action the entire Spanish convoy was captured. Rodney's fleet was en route to relieve Gibraltar, and this action took place several days before Rodney's engagement and defeat of a Spanish fleet at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent.

Action of 8 January 1780
Part of the American Revolutionary War

George Rodney. Engraving from Edward Francis Finden
Date8 January 1780
Location
off Cape Finisterre
43°00′N 20°15′W
Result British victory
Belligerents

Spain

  Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Don Juan Augustín de Yardi (POW) George Rodney
Strength
1 ship of the line
4 frigates
2 small warships
15 merchant ships		 20 ships of the line
6 frigates
Casualties and losses
All ships captured light
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