Action of 18 March 1748
Action of 18 March 1748
Off Cape St Vincent in the Atlantic Ocean, during the War of Jenkins' Ear, a British squadron defeated a Spanish convoy. Six Royal Navy ships under Captain Thomas Cotes chased a Spanish convoy escorted by nine ships of the line and frigates, commanded by Juan de Egues. The British ships were HMS Edinburgh (70 guns), Eagle (60), Windsor (60), Princess Louisa (60), Inverness (24), and the frigate Gax. The Spanish escort included Soberbio (74), Leon (74), Oriente (70), Colorado (70), Brillante (64), Pastora (64), Rosario (60), Xavier (54) and Galga (54).
Five Spanish merchant ships were captured—three bound for Vera Cruz from Cádiz and two bound for Cartagena. The rest of the convoy escaped under cover of darkness. Casualties and losses are unknown. The action ended in a British victory.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 19:42 (CET).