SECOND BATTLE OF CAPE FINISTERRE (1747)

The 'Second Battle of Cape Finisterre' was a naval battle which took place on 25 October 1747 (14 October 1747 in the Julian calendar then in use in Britain) during the War of the Austrian Succession, in the Bay of Biscay off Cape Finisterre in northwest Spain between a well-appointed British fleet of fourteen ships of the line commanded by Admiral Sir Edward Hawke and a French convoy, protected by a squadron of eight French ships of the line commanded by Admiral Desherbiers de l'Etenduère, which it intercepted. It was a decisive British victory, and put an end to French naval operations for the remainder of the war.
It was a convoy action similar to the First Battle of Cape Finisterre, 14 May 1747.
The French made a very gallant resistance, and the fine quality of their ships enabled them to counteract to some extent the superior numbers of the British. The British gradually overhauled the French ships and captured them. The Comte de Vaudreuil in ''Intrépide'', first in the French line, turned back to help his admiral, allowing both ships to escape, but all the others were captured.
While the warships were engaged, the French merchant vessels, with the protection of ''Castor'' 26 and ''Content'' 64, which Desherbiers could spare, continued on their way to the West Indies. Most of them were, however, intercepted and captured in those waters.
This disaster convinced the French government of its helplessness at sea, and it made no further efforts to fight convoys through the British blockade.
'Ships involved:'

Contents

Britain (Edward Hawke)

France (des Herbieres de l'Etenduère)

See also

References

Britain (Edward Hawke)

''Devonshire'' 64/66 (flag)

''Kent'' 74

''Edinburgh'' 70

''Yarmouth'' 64

''Monmouth'' 64

''Princess Louisa'' 60

''Windsor'' 60

''Lion'' 60

''Tilbury'' 60

''Nottingham'' 60

''Defiance'' 60

''Eagle'' 60

''Gloucester'' 50

''Portland'' 50

some frigates

''Weazel'' (sloop)??

France (des Herbieres de l'Etenduère)

''Intrépide'' 74 (Comte de Vaudreuil)

''Trident'' 64 (Marquis d'Amblimont) - Captured

''Terrible'' 74 (Comte du Guay) - Captured

''Tonnant'' 80 (flag)

''Monarque'' 74 (de la Bédoyère) - Captured

''Severn'' 50/56 (du Rouret de Saint-Estève) - Captured

''Fougueux'' 64 (du Vignau) - Captured

''Neptune'' 70/74 - Captured

''Castor'' 26

''Content'' 64

convoy of 252 ships

See also

★ Battle of Cape Finisterre for other battles of this name.

References

★ ''A History of the French Navy'' (1973)