Action of 11 March 1727

The action of 11 March 1727 was a minor naval engagement of the Anglo-Spanish War.

Action of 11 March 1727
Part of the Anglo-Spanish War (1727–1729)
The Royal Oak at anchor, Willem van de Velde the Younger
Date 11 March 1727 Location Off Cadiz, Atlantic Ocean Result British victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	Spain
Commanders and leaders
George Forbes	Unknown
Strength
2 ships of the line	1 frigate
Casualties and losses
Light	200 killed or wounded 1 frigate captured

On 11 March the brand new Spanish 46-gun fifth-rate warship Nuestra Senor Del Rosario was out on sea trials after just being fully completed. The ship was on a journey bound from Santander to Cadiz. Meanwhile, HMS Royal Oak detached on a cruise with HMS Canterbury from the main body of a Royal Naval squadron reinforcing Gibraltar from a Spanish siege.

They sighted the Spanish frigate near the port of Cadiz and gave chase. Soon Royal Oak caught up, and after a few broadsides the Spanish warship soon surrendered. Canterbury was not able to get up till just as the Spanish surrendered. The prize was carried with the rest of the squadron, which managed to slip past the besieging Spanish forces to relieve Gibraltar on the 13 March.

References

• Clowes, William Laird. (2003). The Royal Navy: v. 3: A History - From the Earliest Times to 1900. Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-8617-6012-8.