Key Facts
- Cargo value
- At least £618,040
- Spanish ships captured
- 2 (Thetis and Santa Brigida)
- Prize money significance
- One of the largest hauls ever awarded
- Date of action
- 16–17 October 1799
- British flagship
- HMS Naiad
Strategic Narrative Overview
Spotted by Naiad, the Spanish frigates attempted to flee but were encircled as additional British frigates closed in. The Spaniards separated to divide their pursuers. Thetis was engaged and captured by HMS Ethalion on the morning of 16 October. Santa Brigida nearly reached the sanctuary of Muros harbour but was intercepted among coastal rocks on the morning of 17 October and overwhelmed by a superior British force after a brief fight.
01 / The Origins
During the War of the Second Coalition, Britain maintained a naval blockade of Spanish ports to intercept commerce and pressure Spain, an ally of France. Two Spanish frigates, Thetis and Santa Brigida, were returning from Spanish America laden with silver specie and luxury goods destined for Spain. HMS Naiad, enforcing the blockade off Vigo, sighted the convoy late on 15 October 1799 as the ships neared the end of their transatlantic voyage.
03 / The Outcome
Both frigates were taken as prizes to Britain. Their combined cargoes were transported to the Bank of England with considerable public ceremony. The cargo was assessed at no less than £618,040, making it one of the largest prize-money awards in Royal Navy history. The action demonstrated the effectiveness of the British blockade in intercepting colonial wealth flowing to Spain and its French allies during the Revolutionary Wars.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
HMS Naiad (commanding officer), HMS Ethalion (commanding officer).
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.