Action of 12 December 1779 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Action of 12 December 1779
Part of the American Revolutionary War
Date 12 December 1779 Location off Punta Sal, present day Bay of Honduras Result British victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	Spain
Commanders and leaders
Charles Inglis	Juan Antonio Zavelleta
Strength
1 ship of the line (HMS Salisbury)	1 ship of the line (San Carlos)
Casualties and losses
9 killed 9 wounded	1 ship of the line captured 60 killed or wounded 337 captured

The Action of 12 December 1779 was a small sea battle. It happened in the Bay of Honduras during the American Revolutionary War. This war was fought between Great Britain and its American colonies. Other countries, like Spain, also got involved. In this battle, a British warship fought a Spanish privateer. A privateer was a private ship allowed by a government to attack enemy ships.

A Sea Battle in 1779

This fight took place on December 12, 1779. It was off the coast of Punta Sal, which is now in Honduras. The battle was between a British ship called HMS Salisbury and a Spanish ship named San Carlos. Both ships had 50 guns.

The Ships and the Chase

The British ship, HMS Salisbury, was commanded by Captain Charles Inglis. It had sailed to Jamaica earlier in 1779. On the morning of December 12, while sailing in the Bay of Honduras, a large ship was spotted. Captain Inglis decided to chase it.

The chase lasted all day. Finally, around 6:30 PM, the Salisbury got close enough to the other ship. The fleeing ship then showed Spanish flags. This meant it was ready to fight.

The Battle and Capture

The battle began and lasted for about two hours. By 8:30 PM, the Spanish ship was badly damaged. Its main mast, a very important part of the ship, was shot away. The Spanish ship had many people killed or hurt. Because of the heavy damage, it finally gave up. This is called striking the colours.

The captured ship was the 50-gun privateer San Carlos. It was commanded by Don Juan Antonio Zavelleta. The San Carlos was carrying important supplies. It had 5,000 guns that were heading from Cadiz to Fort Omoa. This fort had recently been captured and then left by British forces.

After the Fight

The San Carlos had 397 crew members. During the battle, 60 of them were killed or wounded. The remaining 337 crew members were captured. On the Salisbury, four British sailors were killed. Fourteen others were wounded, and five of those later died from their injuries.

After the battle, Captain Inglis sailed to Jamaica. He brought the captured San Carlos with him. The British crew then shared the prize money from capturing the enemy ship. Captain Inglis later sailed to North America in the summer of 1780.

See also

In Spanish: Acción del 12 de diciembre de 1779 para niños