Action of 6–7 April 1800

The Action of 6–7 April 1800 was a naval battle between part of a blockading British squadron off Cadiz and a fleet of Spanish merchant vessels escorted by three frigates which had left the port in the intent of bringing supplies to her colonies in the Caribbean.

Background

The Royal Navy's blockade of Cadiz had been maintained since 1797 after the Battle of Cape St Vincent and was still under way in 1800, overseen by Rear-Admiral John Thomas Duckworth. The Royal Navy had now full control of the Mediterranean Sea after Minorca had been captured. On 5 April, in the afternoon, as a British squadron, composed of the 74-gun ships Leviathan, Captain James Carpenter, bearing the flag of Thomas Duckworth, and Swiftsure, Captain Benjamin Hallowell, and the 18-pounder 36-gun frigate Emerald, Captain Thomas Moutray Waller, was cruising in the neighbourhood of the bay of Cadiz, when thirteen sail were discovered.

Battle

Chase was given ; and at 3 A.M. on the 6th, the Emerald came across and captured a Spanish brig, of 10 guns and 70 men, part of a convoy of 13 ships and brigs, which had sailed on the 3rd from Cadiz, bound to South America, under the protection of three frigates, two of which were the Nuestra Señora del Carmen, under the command of Captain Don Fraquin Porcel, and Florentina, under Captain Don Manuel Norates, both of them 34-gun vessels. At daybreak all of the Spanish convoy had disappeared except a brig; the boats of the Leviathan and Emerald, were detached in pursuit of her. After a skirmish of forty minutes, the Los-Anglese of 14 carriage-guns, six swivels, and 46 men, laden with bale goods, was captured. By the time this brig had been secured, three sail were seen. The Swiftsure, was directed to chase south, along with the Emerald. At noon the Emerald sighted six sail and at this the Leviathan put about and stood after the Emerald, and at dusk saw nine sail from the mast-head. The Leviathan and Emerald steered north, in the hope they would soon come across the Spanish. At midnight three sail were seen and at dawn the Leviathan and Emerald bore down upon the Carmen and Florentina, who had evidently mistaken them for a part of their convoy.^[2]

The Leviathan fired all her guns at Santa Florentina in the hope of bringing down some of the frigate's masts and yards, but without effect. In a few minutes, however, the Emerald, closed with the Carmen, the two became so disabled in their sails and rigging, that after firing ineffectual shots, the Leviathan had gained a position to discharge her broadside into both frigates, upon which they hauled down their colours. The Emerald immediately proceeded in chase of the third frigate Sabina, but appearing to lose ground in the pursuit, was recalled and ordered to secure as many as she could of the convoy; four of the largest of which, before dark, fell into her hands. In the mean time the Leviathan lay by the two Spanish frigates, until they were in a state to make sail; which was not until two hours after the surrender. The Leviathan then proceeded to take another two more of the convoy. Then stood after the remaining frigate; but the latter Sabina had by this time so increased her distance, that the Leviathan gave up the pursuit, and proceeded with her prizes to Gibraltar.

The Sabina and the rest of the convoy which left only four merchantmen however managed to escape.^[3]

Aftermath

The Carmen, out of a crew of 390, had one officer and 10 men killed, and 16 men wounded ; the Santa Florentina, out of a crew of 314, one officer and 11 men killed, her captain, first lieutenant, and 10 men wounded. Each frigate was laden with 500 quintals' of mercury, for the use of the mines at Lima. The Carmen measured 908, and the Florentina 902 tons, and both were added to the British navy as 12-pounder 36-gun frigates.^[4]

Notes

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