The Second Battle of Glorioso – The…

The Second Battle of Glorioso – The Fight off Cape Finisterre

After repelling the British attack at Flores, the Spanish ship of the line Glorioso continued its perilous journey to Spain, still carrying its precious cargo of four million silver dollars. While some of the battle damage sustained in the first engagement could be repaired during the voyage, the ship remained in need of substantial repairs that could only be completed in port.

Despite these difficulties, Glorioso once again proved her resilience when, off Cape Finisterre, she came under attack from three British warships detached from Admiral John Byng’s fleet:

• HMS Oxford, a fifty-gun ship of the line
• HMS Shoreham, a twenty-four-gun frigate
• HMS Falcon, a twenty-gun brig

The Three-Hour Battle

The engagement unfolded as the British attempted to intercept Glorioso before she could reach a safe harbor. Despite her earlier battle damage, the Spanish warship fought with extraordinary determination and firepower, engaging all three opponents simultaneously.

For three hours, Glorioso traded heavy broadsides with the British squadron. The Spanish gunners, experienced and well-drilled, inflicted severe damage to the British ships, gradually turning the tide of the battle. Unable to overwhelm their formidable adversary, the three British vessels suffered substantial damage and were ultimately forced to withdraw, allowing Glorioso to continue its journey.

Aftermath and Court-Martial of Captain Callis

The failure to capture Glorioso so close to Spanish waters was another embarrassment for the Royal Navy, especially following the earlier defeat at Flores. However, unlike Commodore John Crookshanks, who had been court-martialed and dismissed for his role in the earlier engagement, Captain Callis of HMS Oxford faced a different fate. Though he too was brought before a court-martial, he was honorably acquitted, as the court deemed that he had done everything possible against an enemy of superior strength and resilience.

The Journey Continues

With two major battles behind her, Glorioso had defied overwhelming odds. However, her voyage was not yet over. The Spanish warship would soon face yet another British force, culminating in one of the most extraordinary naval last stands of the 18th century.