action april action april minor naval engagement french revolutionary wars spanish convoy frigates trapped defeated spanish town british ships blockade british vessels ship line hms irresistible fifth rate frigate significantly powerful spanish frigates stage voyage carrying treasure havana cuba spanish fleet base british commander captain succeeded chasing spanish vessels rocky surrendered brief engagement spanish suffered significantly higher casualties british spanish ships subsequently wrecked shore captured later recommissioned royal_navy treasure carried board frigates removed spanish fishing boat battle fall british hands background late french revolutionary wars years old major shift occurred conflict point enemy abruptly changed sides following signing treaty san reversal forced british_royal_navy retire mediterranean_sea preserve lines communication falling mouth near lisbon pressure placed vice admiral sir organised blockade main spanish fleet base country coast resulted february inflicted defeat spanish fleet surviving spanish ships battle ensure sail repeat action arranged close blockade port april british ships line numerous frigates watching spanish fleet anchor blockade designed contain main spanish fleet disrupt spanish communications transport principal port important destination shipping included numerous called treasure ships heavily armed warships gold silver spanish colonies americas spanish mainland centuries spanish treasure ships ultimate prize royal_navy captains sums prize money involved enormous october example spanish treasure convoy captured british captains awarded equivalent battle april gun ship line hms irresistible captain gun frigate captain berkeley sailing southern edge known fleet cruising close spanish coast unknown ships sighted martin immediately ordered ships chase strangers fled martin vessels pursuit new arrivals spanish gun frigates bound havana cargo silver captains spanish ships sailed midst blockade fleet previous night fortunate encounter spanish fishing vessel warned danger acting quickly captains loaded treasure fishing boat instructions carry safely spanish captains recognising larger british vessels attempted shelter rocky stretch coastline near village north discovered martin ships carefully negotiate large rock formation known cape protected head bay obstacle successfully irresistible attacked anchored spanish frigates broadside broadside action lasted hour half spanish ships taking worst damage battered spanish vessels surrendered british ships launched boats possession prizes crew anchor cables allowed ship drift rocky shoreline disembarked escaped inland aftermath martin ordered secured men towed rocks intention vessel tow succeeded freeing wrecked ship sank soon deeper water treasure spanish frigates carried subsequently safely transported fishing boat secret cargo suspected british blockade forces spanish losses engagement amounted killed wounded british losing man killed wounded irresistible subsequently purchased royal_navy commissioned gun frigate dispatch admiralty action noted action notable come observation blockade remained force varying degrees intensity remainder year british fleet retiring winter
Action of 26 April 1797