Napoleonic Wars: Fleets Clash off Cape Finisterre!

July 22, 1805 - British and Franco-Spanish fleets fight the Battle of Cape Finisterre. Returning from an abortive cruise to the West Indies, the Franco-Spanish fleet of Vice Admiral Pierre Villenueve encountered the squadron of Vice Admiral Robert Calder (right) off Cape Finisterre. Ordered to lift the blockade of Rochefort and Ferrol to intercept Villenueve, Calder sited the enemy on July 22. Maneuvering to engage, the first shots were fired around 5:15 PM by HMS Hero. Fighting in fog and poor visibility, Calder succeeded in capturing the Spanish ships of the line Firme and San Raphael. Breaking off the action at 8:15, Calder planned to resume the battle the next day. The following morning, with the enemy approximately 16 miles away and concerned about the French ships at Rochefort and Ferrol, Calder elected to turn northeast to resume his blockade duties. Though he had won a minor victory, he was later court-martialed for not resuming the attack on July 23.

Photograph Source: Public Domain