The Battle of Cape St. Vincent is a naval battle that takes place off the southern coast of Portugal on January 16, 1780, during the American Revolutionary War.
A British fleet under Admiral Sir George Rodney defeats a Spanish squadron under Don Juan de Lángara.
The battle is sometimes referred to as the Moonlight Battle because it is unusual for naval battles in the Age of Sail to take place at night.
It is also the first major naval victory for the British over their European enemies in the war and proves the value of copper-sheathing the hulls of warships.
Admiral Rodney ios escorting a fleet of supply ships to relieve the Spanish siege of Gibraltar with a fleet of about twenty ships of the line when he encounters Lángara's squadron south of Cape St. Vincent.
When Lángara sees the size of the British fleet, he attempts to make for the safety of Cádiz, but the copper-sheathed British ships chases his fleet down.
In a running battle that lasts from mid-afternoon until after midnight, the British capture four Spanish ships, including Lángara's flagship.
Two other ships are also captured, but their final disposition is unclear; some Spanish sources indicate they were retaken by their Spanish crews, while Rodney's report indicates the ships were grounded and destroyed.
After the battle Rodney successfully resuppliea Gibraltar and Minorca before continuing on to the West Indies station.
Lángara is released on parole, and is promoted to lieutenant general by King Carlos III.
