battle known major naval engagement franco spanish war fought june spanish ruled town coast french fleet led admiral spanish fleet commanded sent break blockade relieve town besieged french army command prince thomas unusual fought sailing ships towed light breeze hard inconclusive fight admiral killed french fleet withdrew toulon leaving sea spanish decided pursue relieve land forces disembarked days later failed french lines siege undertaken july spanish army led duke come defeated besieging french troops forcing retreat heavy losses background naval successes spain mediterranean cardinal planned naval expedition conquer spanish held state aim spanish communications threatening initial stage spanish military corridor called spanish road pope spanish sympathies displeased purpose fleet commanded young admiral assembled toulon large complement minor vessels board army infantry cavalry baggage command previously employ spanish crown erected spit inner bays big fortified positions strong defensive position east west fort island linked mainland narrow end french army landed left prince half dozen vessels bombard forts town went san sailing ships bombarded fort surrendered loss positions retreated occupied thanks battery mounted aboard french soon filled armed boats gathered paul supported spanish italian soldiers opportunities resist help early relief force boats escort sent naples munitions supplies beaten major fleet action expected news siege reached spain gave orders assemble relief fleet second hand goods purchased netherlands extraordinary carried country command expedition entrusted portuguese loyalist captain general mediterranean supreme commander spanish naval forces sea received orders sail command men war silver fleet squadron later providing frigates soldiers brought aboard ships relief second command displeased secondary role recently resigned claiming ill health charge sailing ships sea spanish fleet joined cape squadrons naples genoa sicily drove strength frigates grand admiral admiral meantime reinforced divisions able oppose sailing ships battle dawn june spanish fleet bore line astern forefront vessels closing formation admiral formed fleet line shortly alternating sailed westward gentle breeze closed ships approached miles spanish wind fleets towed awaiting aboard flagship grand saint louis stood line flanked vice admiral rear admiral ship tow lieutenant general vessels composed french line battle towed ship division left reserve fleets sailed thanks superior number gained able french line attempting overrun line catch fires tow flag don general trinidad flagship admiral general large spanish unable dispatch spanish vessels victories barcelona ship artillery lost main mast fearing attack french boarding covered damaged head vessels flag towed danger remaining ships engaged inconclusive action lasted fleets separated dusk spanish lost frigate burnt crew avoid capture surrounded french vessels foremost spanish received heavy damage french blew french badly damaged human loss aboard spanish fleet unknown men killed wounded aboard french fleet admiral cut half hit stern flagship grand saint louis following morning spanish french fleets miles apart successor decided set sail repairs instead pursuing spanish fleet sought refuge island chased 15th 16th french unaware main fleet departure fell amidst spanish fleet night managed escape following maneuvers spanish admiral finally abandoned pursuit relieve proved impossible storm dispersed ships night took refuge sank causing death rowers french suffered storm sank crew artillery taken aboard spanish fleet ship captured aftermath june spanish fleet anchored decided war council relieve essential repairs days later dispatched force port mouth ships arrived naples santo destroying capturing barges contained supplies army operation returned toulon despite failure reinforcements later carried aboard ships attempts french siege lines unsuccessful disembarked soldiers led divided corps advanced french lines managed occupy hill french cavalry attack repulsed second corps hour battle forced wounded men evacuated killed left battlefield siege lifted army duke stormed camp month later killing capturing men taking artillery baggage turned french campaign failure dissatisfied outcome naval battle expected french fleet destroyed honour navy restored dismissed imprisoned admiral officers accusing forces replaced appointed years old illegitimate son john austria commander hispanic maritime forces giving widespread orders powers order end french failure contributed greatly reduction french pressure italy soldiers naples consequently carried fight french armies september french expedition led portuguese help succeeded capturing encouraged duke change allegiance spanish monarchy france
Battle of Orbetello