Key Facts
- Date
- 13–14 August 1761
- British force
- 1 ship of the line, 1 frigate
- French force
- 1 ship of the line, 2 frigates
- French ship captured
- Courageux (74 guns)
- Courageux RN service
- 35 years in Royal Navy after capture
Strategic Narrative Overview
On sighting the French force, comprising the 74-gun Courageux and frigates Malicieuse and Hermine, the British immediately gave chase and maintained contact overnight. On 14 August two simultaneous engagements developed: Brilliant engaged the French frigates to prevent their intervention, while Bellona closed with Courageux. Captain Robert Faulknor manoeuvred Bellona into a raking position, inflicting severe damage and heavy casualties on the French ship of the line.
01 / The Origins
During the Seven Years' War, Britain and France contested naval supremacy across multiple theatres. In August 1761, a British squadron of two vessels — the 74-gun HMS Bellona and the 36-gun frigate HMS Brilliant — was sailing from Lisbon to Britain carrying a cargo of specie when it encountered a French squadron of three ships off the northern Spanish Atlantic coast near Cape Finisterre.
03 / The Outcome
The raking fire forced Courageux to surrender, ending the main action. The two French frigates, unable to intervene effectively, withdrew after the surrender. Courageux was taken as a prize, repaired, and recommissioned into the Royal Navy, where she served for 35 years across two subsequent conflicts. Brilliant successfully held off the French frigates despite being outnumbered overall.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent
Robert Faulknor.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.