On 16 March 1782 the 32-gun frigate Success under the command of Captain Charles Pole, and the Hired armed store-shipVernon (mounting 22 long six-pounders) commanded by John Falconer were off Cape Spartel, Morocco, on their voyage to Gibraltar. They sighted the Spanish 12-pounder 34-gun frigate Santa Catalina commanded by Don Miguel Tacón. This ship was part of a squadron keeping lookout for any relief convoys heading into Gibraltar, which was then under siege.
When the Spanish frigate approached within random shot, the Success suddenly hauled up and poured a destructive broadside. The Success then wore round and took up her position, which was also mimicked by the Vernon. The Santa Catalina, having lost her mizzenmast at around 8:00 pm, hauled down her colours, and then was taken possession of by the Success.[1]
Out of 300 men, the Santa Catalina had 25 killed and eight wounded, and the Success one killed and four wounded. The Santa Catalina was, however, severely damaged and had been holed below the waterline. The next day, six Spanish sail were sighted.[1] Pole, fearing the Spaniards had formed a plan to take possession of the Success and the Santa Catalina, decided that once all the valuables and prisoners had been removed, it was necessary to destroy her. The Santa Catalina was accordingly set on fire and blown up. Pole then headed back to Gibraltar, which he made successfully a few days later.[2]
Referencesedit
Citations
^ abcGibraltar: the second relief and after, 1781−1782, in: Navies and the American Revolution, 1775−1783. Robert Gardiner, ed. Chatham Publishing, 1997, p.167−170. ISBN1-55750-623-X
^ abWinfield, Rif. British Warships of the Age of Sail 1714—1792: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth, 2007. ISBN1-86176-295-X
Bibliography
Allen, Joseph (1853). Battles of the British Navy. Vol. 1. H.G. Bohn.
Beatson, Robert (1804). Naval and Military Memoirs of Great Britain, From 1727 to 1783. Vol. 6. Longman, Hurst, Rees and Orme.
October 28, 2023
action, march, 1782, part, american, independenceengagement, between, success, santa, catalinadate16, march, 1782locationoff, strait, gibraltar35, 967resultbritish, victorybelligerentsspain, great, britaincommanders, leadersdon, miguel, tacón, captain, charles. Action of 16 March 1782Part of the American War of IndependenceEngagement between HMS Success and the Santa CatalinaDate16 March 1782Locationoff Strait of Gibraltar35 52 N 5 58 W 35 867 N 5 967 W 35 867 5 967ResultBritish victoryBelligerentsSpain Great BritainCommanders and leadersDon Miguel Tacon POW Captain Sir Charles PoleStrength1 frigateSanta Catalina1 frigateHMS Success1 hired armed storeshipVernonCasualties and losses1 frigate destroyed25 killed8 wounded260 surrendered 1 1 killed4 wounded 2 The action of 16 March 1782 was a naval engagement between a British Royal Naval frigate HMS Success and a Spanish frigate Santa Catalina in the Strait of Gibraltar during the American War of Independence On 16 March 1782 the 32 gun frigate Success under the command of Captain Charles Pole and the Hired armed store ship Vernon mounting 22 long six pounders commanded by John Falconer were off Cape Spartel Morocco on their voyage to Gibraltar They sighted the Spanish 12 pounder 34 gun frigate Santa Catalina commanded by Don Miguel Tacon This ship was part of a squadron keeping lookout for any relief convoys heading into Gibraltar which was then under siege When the Spanish frigate approached within random shot the Success suddenly hauled up and poured a destructive broadside The Success then wore round and took up her position which was also mimicked by the Vernon The Santa Catalina having lost her mizzenmast at around 8 00 pm hauled down her colours and then was taken possession of by the Success 1 Out of 300 men the Santa Catalina had 25 killed and eight wounded and the Success one killed and four wounded The Santa Catalina was however severely damaged and had been holed below the waterline The next day six Spanish sail were sighted 1 Pole fearing the Spaniards had formed a plan to take possession of the Success and the Santa Catalina decided that once all the valuables and prisoners had been removed it was necessary to destroy her The Santa Catalina was accordingly set on fire and blown up Pole then headed back to Gibraltar which he made successfully a few days later 2 References editCitations a b c Gibraltar the second relief and after 1781 1782 in Navies and the American Revolution 1775 1783 Robert Gardiner ed Chatham Publishing 1997 p 167 170 ISBN 1 55750 623 X a b Winfield Rif British Warships of the Age of Sail 1714 1792 Design Construction Careers and Fates Seaforth 2007 ISBN 1 86176 295 X BibliographyAllen Joseph 1853 Battles of the British Navy Vol 1 H G Bohn Beatson Robert 1804 Naval and Military Memoirs of Great Britain From 1727 to 1783 Vol 6 Longman Hurst Rees and Orme Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Action of 16 March 1782 amp oldid 1156719921, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
