Action of 16 March 1782 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Action of 16 March 1782 |
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| Part of the American War of Independence | |||||||
 Engagement between HMS Success and the Santa Catalina |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Spain |
 Great Britain |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Don Miguel Tacón (POW) |
Captain Sir Charles Pole |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 1 frigate Santa Catalina |
1 frigate HMS Success 1 hired armed storeship Vernon |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1 frigate destroyed 25 killed 8 wounded 260 surrendered |
1 killed 4 wounded |
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The Action of 16 March 1782 was an important sea battle. It happened during the American War of Independence. This fight took place between a British ship, HMS Success, and a Spanish ship, Santa Catalina. The battle happened near the Strait of Gibraltar.
Contents
Ships Involved in the Battle
On March 16, 1782, two British ships were sailing. They were the frigate Success and the hired ship Vernon. A frigate is a type of fast warship. Captain Charles Pole commanded the Success. John Falconer commanded the Vernon.
Spanish Ship Santa Catalina
The British ships were near Cape Spartel, Morocco. They were on their way to Gibraltar. Suddenly, they saw a Spanish frigate. This ship was named Santa Catalina. Don Miguel Tacón was its commander. The Santa Catalina was part of a Spanish fleet. This fleet was watching for ships trying to reach Gibraltar. At that time, Gibraltar was under a long attack called the Great Siege of Gibraltar.
The Sea Battle Begins
The Spanish frigate came closer to the British ships. The Success quickly turned and fired its cannons. This was a powerful attack called a broadside. A broadside means firing all the cannons on one side of the ship at once.
How the Ships Fought
After the first attack, the Success turned again. It took up a good fighting position. The Vernon copied the Success and also got into position. The battle was intense. Around 8:00 PM, the Santa Catalina lost its mizzenmast. This is a tall pole on a ship that holds sails.
Spanish Ship Surrenders
After losing its mast, the Santa Catalina lowered its flag. Lowering the flag means a ship gives up. The Success then took control of the Spanish ship.
Aftermath of the Battle
The battle was over, but the ships had suffered damage. The Santa Catalina had 25 sailors killed and eight wounded. The Success had one sailor killed and four wounded.
Destroying the Santa Catalina
The Santa Catalina was badly damaged. It had holes below the water line. The next day, six more Spanish ships appeared. Captain Pole worried that the Spanish might try to take back the Santa Catalina. He decided it was too risky to keep the damaged ship. So, after taking off all valuable items and the Spanish prisoners, he ordered the Santa Catalina to be set on fire. The ship then blew up. Captain Pole and his ships then safely returned to Gibraltar a few days later.
See also
In Spanish: Acción del 16 de marzo de 1782 para niños
