Toulon, Naval Battle of

The naval Battle of Toulon or Battle of Cape Sicié takes place on 22 February 1744 in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Toulon, France.

A combined Franco-Spanish fleet fighst off Britain's Mediterranean fleet.

The French fleet, officially at peace with Great Britain, only joines the fighting late, when it is clear that the greatly outnumbered Spanish fleet has gained the advantage over its foe.

With the French intervention, the British fleet is forced to withdraw.

In Britain, the battle is regarded as the most mortifying defeat; the Franco-Spanish fleet successfully ends the British blockade and inflicts considerably more damage to the British than they receive, causing the British to withdraw to Minorca in need of heavy repairs.

The retreat of Admiral Mathews' fleet leaves the Mediterranean Sea temporarily under Spanish control, allowing the opposite navy to deliver troops and supplies to the Spanish army in Italy, decisively swinging the war there in their favor.Thomas Mathews, is tried by court-martial in 1746, on charges of having brought the fleet into action in a disorganized manner, of having fled the enemy, and of having failed to bring the enemy to action when the conditions were advantageous.

He is, among seven ship captains, dismissed from service.

In English-language literature the battle is viewed as indecisive at best and a fiasco at worst.

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