The action of 9 August 1780 was a naval engagement during the American Revolutionary War and a part of the Anglo-French War (1778–1783) in which a Spanish fleet and French fleet, led by Admiral Luis de Córdova y Córdova, encountered a large British convoy. The Franco-Spanish force captured almost all the merchant vessels in the convoy, which dealt a severe blow to the commerce of Great Britain.
The British convoy, escorted by HMS Ramillies (74 guns, under Captain Sir John Moutray) and two frigates - Thetis (36 guns) and Southampton (36 guns), sailed from Portsmouth on 27 July. On 9 August, they encountered the Spanish fleet.
The Franco-Spanish fleet captured 55 of the 63 merchant vessels present, making it one of the most complete naval captures ever made. The losses, were, in total 80,000 muskets, equipment for 40,000 troops, 294 cannons, and 3,144 men. The financial impact of the losses were estimated to be around £1,500,000 (£1,000,000 in gold and silver and £500,000 in equipment and ships).
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