Action of 25 November 1804 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Action of 25 November 1804
Part of the Napoleonic Wars
HMS Donegal
Date 25 November 1804 Location Off Cádiz Result British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom	Spain
Commanders and leaders
Richard Strachan	unknown
Strength
1 Ship of the line (74 guns)	1 frigate (42 guns)
Casualties and losses
light	1 frigate captured 380 captured

The Action of 25 November 1804 was a small but important sea battle during the Napoleonic Wars. It happened near Cádiz, Spain. In this fight, the British warship HMS Donegal captured the Spanish frigate Amfitrite. This event showed the power of the Royal Navy at the time.

A Chase at Sea

This naval battle took place as tensions grew between Britain and Spain. It was part of the larger Napoleonic Wars that involved many European countries.

HMS Donegal's Mission

In 1801, Captain Sir Richard Strachan took command of HMS Donegal. This powerful British warship was first used in the English Channel. Later, when fighting began with Spain, Donegal was sent to watch the French fleet near Cádiz, Spain.

While on duty near Cádiz, on the morning of November 24, 1804, HMS Donegal spotted a large Spanish frigate. This ship was the Amfitrite, which had 42 guns. Captain Strachan decided to chase the Spanish ship.

The Pursuit and Confrontation

The chase for the Amfitrite lasted a long time, about 46 hours! During this long pursuit, the Amfitrite had a problem: her mizzen-top-mast broke. This part of the ship's mast helps it sail, so the damage slowed her down. This allowed HMS Donegal to catch up.

Captain Strachan sent a small boat to the Amfitrite to bring the Spanish captain aboard Donegal. There was a problem, though: Captain Strachan did not speak Spanish, and the Spanish captain did not speak English. This made it very hard for them to talk.

Captain Strachan tried to tell the Spanish captain that his orders were to make the Amfitrite return to Cádiz. He gave the Spanish captain three minutes to decide if he would follow this order. But after waiting for six minutes, with no clear answer, Captain Strachan ordered his crew to open fire on the Amfitrite.

The Short Battle

The fight was very quick, lasting only eight minutes. During this short battle, several people were killed, including the first Spanish captain, who was hit by a musket ball.

Soon after, the Amfitrite surrendered. When the British searched the ship, they found it was full of supplies. It was also carrying important messages from Cádiz to Tenerife and Havana.

After its capture, the Amfitrite was taken over by the British. It later joined the Royal Navy and was renamed HMS Amfitrite.

HMS Donegal continued its patrols near Cádiz. Later, it captured another Spanish ship. This ship was carrying a very valuable cargo, said to be worth about 200,000 pounds!

See also

In Spanish: Acción del 25 de noviembre de 1804 para niños