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词条 Battle of Cape Spartel
释义

  1. Background

  2. Battle

  3. Aftermath

  4. Order of battle

     British (Howe)  Franco-Spanish (De Cordova y Cordova) 

  5. Notes

  6. References

  7. External links

{{for|the battle of the Spanish Civil War|Battle of Cape Spartel (1936)}}{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}{{Infobox military conflict
|conflict= Battle of Cape Spartel
|partof= the American Revolutionary War
|image= Escadre de Richard Howe en vue de Gibraltar 1782.jpg
|image_size= 300px
|caption= Relief of Gibraltar by Earl Howe, 11 October 1782, by Richard Paton
|date= 20 October 1782
|place= Off Cape Spartel, present-day Morocco
|result=Indecisive;
  • Retreat of the British fleet;[1]
  • Supply route to Gibraltar remains open [2]

|combatant1= {{flag|Kingdom of Great Britain}}
|combatant2= {{flagicon|Spain|1748}} Kingdom of Spain
{{flag|Kingdom of France}}
|commander1= {{flagicon|Kingdom of Great Britain}} Richard Howe
|commander2= {{flagicon|Spain|1748}} Luis de Córdova
|strength1= 35 ships of the line
  • 2,612 guns

|strength2= 38 ships of the line
  • 2,604 guns

|casualties1= 68 killed
208 wounded
|casualties2= 59 killed
301 wounded
|campaignbox={{Campaignbox Anglo-French War (1778–83)}}{{Campaignbox Anglo-Spanish War (1779)}}
}}

The Battle of Cape Spartel was an indecisive naval battle between a Franco-Spanish fleet under Admiral Luis de Córdova y Córdova and a British fleet under Admiral Richard Howe. These forces met on 20 October 1782 after Howe successfully resupplied Gibraltar, then under siege by Bourbon forces during the American Revolutionary War.

Background

{{main|Great Siege of Gibraltar|Naval operations in the American Revolutionary War|Spain in the American Revolutionary War}}

When Spain entered the American War of Independence in 1779, one of its principal objectives was the capture of Gibraltar from Great Britain. Shortly after war was declared, forces of Spain and France began the Great Siege of Gibraltar, blockading land access to the peninsula and enacting a somewhat porous naval blockade. Britain successfully resupplied Gibraltar in both 1780 and 1781, and recognized the need to do so again in 1782. The matter was seen as a critical by British political and military leaders, because Spain was seeking cession of the territory in peace talks.

The British Channel Fleet, which was under the command of Admiral Richard Howe, had a number of conflicting objectives to manage in the summer 1782. In addition to protecting the English Channel from Franco-Spanish incursions, the fleet also had to deal with the possibility of Dutch action on the North Sea against the transport of critical naval supplies from the Baltic, and it was expected to protect the convoy that would resupply Gibraltar. Even though intelligence received on 25 August indicated the Dutch fleet was in port at Texel, ten ships of the line were despatched to the North Sea while the convoy for Gibraltar took shape at Spithead. These ships returned to port on 4 September.

The convoy that sailed on 11 September included 35 ships of the line, a large convoy of transports destined for Gibraltar, and additional convoys destined for the East and West Indies. Admiral Howe's orders were to deliver the supplies to Gibraltar and then to return to England. Because of bad weather and contrary winds, the fleet destined for Gibraltar did not arrive at Cape St. Vincent until 9 October.

The Franco-Spanish fleet tasked with the blockade of Gibraltar was anchored in Bay of Gibraltar. It consisted of 49 ships of the line, and was under the command of Spanish Admiral Luis de Córdova. The Spanish ships (numbering 35) were not in good condition. On 10 October a storm wrought havoc on the allied fleet: one ship of the line was driven aground, another was sent under Gibraltar's guns, and a third was swept through the Straits of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean.[3]

Admiral Howe met with all of his captains, and gave detailed instructions for ensuring the safe arrival of the transports. On 11 October the transports began entry into the straits, followed by covering fleet. Four transports successfully anchored at Gibraltar, but the remainder were carried by the strong currents into the Mediterranean. The fleet followed.[3] Taking advantage of a WNW wind, de Córdova's fleet sailed in pursuit, while the Spanish admiral sent his smaller vessels to shadow the British. The British regrouped about 50 miles east of Gibraltar off the Spanish coast on 13 October, but sailed south toward the Moroccan coast upon the approach of the allied fleet. With a fair wind on the 15th the British reentered the straits, and successfully brought the convoy into Gibraltar between the 16th and 18th.

Battle

On 19 October the allied fleet was sighted to the east of Gibraltar. Admiral Howe, seeking to avoid battle in the straits, weighed anchor and sailed west, with the allies following. Once clear of the straits, he reduced the fleet's sails, offering de Córdova, who held the weather gage, the option of doing battle. On the 20th, de Córdova signalled 'general chase', disregarding division places. The British line of battle was to starboard of the Franco-Spanish. At around 1 pm, and after Cordova's flagship, the 120-gun Santísima Trinidad reached the centre of the combined line, both fleets were about two miles apart. The British reduced sail in order to tighten their line of battle. At 5:45 the van of the Franco-Spanish fleet opened fire. The British returned fire, while Howe signalled 'retreat all sail', making at least 14 Franco-Spanish ships redundant, among them two three-deckers. No British ships were really engaged, despite the efforts of de Córdova's ships, which chased the British fleet. On the 21st, both fleets were some 12 miles apart. De Córdova made repairs and was ready to resume the action. However, no battle took place the next day as Howe had sailed back to Britain in line with his orders.

Aftermath

Howe succeeded in his main aim, ensuring that the convoy arrived safely, and returned to England. The success in resupplying the hard pressed garrison at Gibraltar ensured its survival at a time when British forces were suffering a demoralising succession of losses at Minorca, Florida and the West Indies.

The timely resupply combined with the failed Franco-Spanish attack of 13 September on Gibraltar also greatly strengthened the British hand at peace talks begun earlier in October. British diplomats steadfastly refused to part with Gibraltar, despite offers by Spain to trade most of its gains.[4]

The sailing qualities of their ships (in particular the use of copper sheathing) enabled the British to decline an action. The Spanish Navy struggled to build faster ships to avoid these situations such as that of the Battle of Cape St. Vincent – the Moonlight Battle - two years before, when Rodney's coppered 18-ship fleet chased down and engaged de Lángara's 11-ship fleet. The Spanish Navy had been slow to begin coppering its own vessels. It was also limited by the slow speed of some of its older and heavier ships, like the Santisima Trinidad.

Order of battle

British (Howe)

34 ships of the line (according to Schomberg)

Admiral Richard Howe's fleet
Van - First division
ShipRateGunsCommanderCasualtiesNotes
KilledWoundedTotal
HMS GoliathThird rate74Captain Hyde Parker{{center|4}}{{center|16}}{{center|20}}
HMS GangesThird rate74Captain Charles Fielding{{center|6}}{{center|23}}{{center|29}}
HMS Royal WilliamFirst rate100Captain John Carter Allen{{center|2}}{{center|13}}{{center|15}}
HMS BritanniaFirst rate100Vice-Admiral Samuel Barrington
Captain C. Hills
{{center|8}}{{center|13}}{{center|21}}Flagship of the van
HMS AtlasSecond rate98Captain George Vandeput{{center|2}}{{center|3}}{{center|5}}
HMS RubyThird rate64Captain John Collins{{center|6}}{{center|0}}{{center|6}}
Van - Second division
HMS PantherFourth rate60Captain Henry Hervey{{center|3}}{{center|15}}{{center|18}}
HMS FoudroyantThird rate80Captain John Jervis{{center|4}}{{center|8}}{{center|12}}
HMS EdgarThird rate74{{center|0}}{{center|6}}{{center|6}}
HMS PolyphemusThird rate64Captain W. C. Finch{{center|0}}{{center|4}}{{center|4}}
HMS SuffolkThird rate74Captain Sir George Home{{center|0}}{{center|0}}{{center|0}}
HMS VigilantThird rate64{{center|1}}{{center|2}}{{center|3}}
Centre - First division
HMS CourageuxThird rate74Captain Lord Mulgrave{{center|1}}{{center|4}}{{center|5}}
HMS CrownThird rate64Captain Samuel Reeve{{center|0}}{{center|1}}{{center|1}}
HMS AlexanderThird rate74Captain Lord Longford{{center|2}}{{center|4}}{{center|6}}
HMS SampsonThird rate64Captain John Harvey{{center|2}}{{center|0}}{{center|2}}
HMS Princess RoyalSecond rate98Captain Jonathan Faulknor{{center|1}}{{center|0}}{{center|1}}
HMS VictoryFirst rate100Admiral Viscount Howe
Captain John Leveson-Gower
Captain Henry Duncan
{{center|0}}{{center|0}}{{center|0}}Fleet flagship
Centre - Second division
HMS BlenheimSecond rate90Captain Adam Duncan{{center|2}}{{center|3}}{{center|5}}
HMS AsiaThird rate64Captain Richard Rodney Bligh{{center|0}}{{center|0}}{{center|0}}
HMS EgmontThird rate74{{center|0}}{{center|0}}{{center|0}}
HMS QueenSecond rate98Rear-Admiral Alexander Hood
Captain William Domett
{{center|1}}{{center|4}}{{center|5}}
HMS BellonaThird rate74Captain Richard Onslow{{center|0}}{{center|0}}{{center|0}}
Rear - Second division
HMS RaisonnableThird rate64Captain Lord Hervey{{center|1}}{{center|0}}{{center|1}}
HMS FortitudeThird rate64Captain George Keppel{{center|2}}{{center|9}}{{center|11}}
HMS Princess AmeliaSecond rate84Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Hughes
Captain J. Reynolds
{{center|4}}{{center|5}}{{center|9}}
HMS BerwickThird rate74Captain Hon. Charles Phipps{{center|1}}{{center|5}}{{center|6}}
HMS BienfaisantThird rate64Captain J. Howarth{{center|2}}{{center|4}}{{center|6}}
Rear - First division
HMS DublinThird rate74Captain Archibald Dickson{{center|0}}{{center|0}}{{center|0}}
HMS CambridgeSecond rate84{{center|4}}{{center|6}}{{center|10}}
HMS OceanSecond rate98Vice-Admiral Mark Milbanke{{center|0}}{{center|0}}{{center|0}}Flagship of the rear
HMS UnionSecond rate90Captain John Dalrymple{{center|5}}{{center|15}}{{center|20}}
HMS BuffaloFourth rate60Captain John Holloway{{center|6}}{{center|16}}{{center|22}}
HMS VengeanceThird rate74Captain John Moutray{{center|2}}{{center|14}}{{center|16}}
Attached frigates
HMS LatonaFifth rate38Captain Hon. Hugh Seymour-Conway{{center|0}}{{center|0}}{{center|0}}
63 killed, 198 wounded
Source: Schomberg, Naval Chronology, pp. 390–3.

Franco-Spanish (De Cordova y Cordova)

46 ships of the line

{{col-begin}}{{col-2}}Spanish
  • Santísima Trinidad (120), Flagship, Lieutenant-General Luis de Cordova
  • Rayo (80) Commodore Posada
  • Terrible (74)
  • Arrogante (70)
  • Brillante (70), Lieutenant General Viscount De Rochecouart
  • Firme (70)
  • Galicia (70)
  • Guerrero (70)
  • San Isidoro (70)
  • San Isidro (70)
  • San Joaquín (70)
  • San Juan Bautista (70)
  • San Justo (70)
  • San Lorenzo (70)
  • San Rafael (70)
  • San Vicente (70), Commodore Ponce de León
  • Santa Isabel (70)
  • Serio (70)
  • Triunfante (70)
  • Vencedor (70)
  • Castilla (64)
  • España (64)
  • Septentrión (64)
{{col-2}}French
  • Bretagne (110)
  • Invincible (110), Lieutenant-Général Jean Guillerme Toussaint Picquet de La Motte ("LaMotte-Picquet")
  • Majestueux (110)
  • Royal Louis (110), Chef d'Escadre (= Commodore) Antoine-Hilarion de Beausset
  • Actif (74)
  • Dictateur (74)
  • Guerrier (74)
  • Robuste (74)
  • Suffisant (74)
  • Zodiaque (74)
  • Indien (64)
{{col-end}}

The following ships took no part in the action:

{{col-begin}}{{col-2}}Spanish
  • Purísima Concepción (112)
  • San Fernando (80)
  • Africa (70)
  • Oriente (70)
  • San Eugenio (70), Lieutenant General Count de Guichen
  • Astuto (60)
  • San Julián (60)
  • Miño (54)
{{col-2}}French
  • Terrible (110), Lieutenant-Général Bonet
  • Bien Aimé (74)
  • Atlas (70)
  • Lion (64), Lieutenant-Général Miguel Gastón
{{col-end}}

Notes

1. ^Fernández Duro p.329
2. ^Chartrand pg. 84
3. ^Mackesy, p. 483
4. ^The Cambridge Modern History, pp. 6:379-380

References

  • {{cite book|last=Chartrand|first=René|authorlink=|authors=|editor=|others=Patrice Courcelle|title=Gibraltar 1779–1783: The Great Siege|origyear=|url=http://www.ospreypublishing.com/title_detail.php/title=S9770|edition=1st|series=|date=July 2006|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=978-1-84176-977-6|oclc=|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927003243/http://www.ospreypublishing.com/title_detail.php/title%3DS9770|archivedate=27 September 2007|df=dmy-all}}
  • {{cite book |last= Fernández Duro |first= Cesáreo |authorlink= |authors= |title=Armada Española desde la unión de los reinos de Castilla y Aragón |volume=VII |year=1901 |publisher=Sucesores de Rivadeneyra|location=Madrid, Spain |isbn=}}
  • {{cite book|last=Mackesy|first=Piers|title=The War for America|year=1992|location=Lincoln, NE|publisher=University of Nebraska Press|isbn=9780803281929|oclc=26851403}}
  • {{cite book|last=Acton|first=Baron John Emerich Edward Dalberg (ed)|title=The Cambridge Modern History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8JTtAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA380#v=onepage&f=false|publisher=Macmillan|location=New York|year=1909}}

External links

  • Revolutionary War chronology
  • Combate de Espartel. 20 de octubre de 1782 {{es icon}}
{{coord|35.9257|-5.9109|display=title}}{{Tangier}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Cape Spartel, Battle of 1782}}

7 : Conflicts in 1782|Naval battles of the American Revolutionary War|Naval battles involving Great Britain|Naval battles involving France|Naval battles involving Spain|1782 in France|History of Tangier

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