The First Battle of Cape Finisterre was a naval battle which took place on 14 May 1747 (3 May 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 British fleet of 14 ships of the line under Admiral George Anson in Centurion, and a French 30-ship convoy escorted by a squadron commanded by Admiral de la Jonquière which he intercepted. In a five-hour battle the British captured seven merchantmen, four ships of the line, and two frigates. The rest of the supply ships escaped.

Following his victory, Anson was promoted to Vice Admiral and raised to the peerage.

Another convoy action - the Second Battle of Cape Finisterre - followed that October.

Ships involved:

Britain (George Anson)

Prince George 90 (flag)
Devonshire 66
Namur 74
Monmouth 64
Prince Frederick 64
Yarmouth 64
Princess Louisa 60
Nottingham 60
Defiance 60
Pembroke 60
Windsoe 60
Centurion 50
Falkland 50
Bristol 50
Ambuscade 40
Falcon 10
Vulcan 8 (fireship)

France (de la Jonquière)

Diamant 30*/56 - Captured, sunk later
Philibert 30* - Captured
Vigilant 20* - Captured
Chimère 36
Rubis 52 - Captured
Jason 50 - Captured
Sérieux 64 (flag) - Captured
Invincible 74 - Captured
Apollon 30* - Captured
Thétis 22* - Captured
Modeste 18* - Captured
Gloire 40 - Captured
Emeraude 40
Dartmouth 18* (ex-British privateer) - Captured
convoy of 24 ships or fewer - 6 captured

Ships marked * were of the French East India Company.

See also

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

1747 | Battles of the War of the Austrian Succession | Battles of the United Kingdom | Battles of France