On This Day

British fleet under Admiral Sir Edward Hawke defeats the French at the second battle of Cape Finisterre

The First Battle of Cape Finisterre (14 May 1747) was waged during the War of the Austrian Succession.

The First Battle of Cape Finisterre (14 May 1747) was waged during the War of the Austrian Succession. It refers to the attack by 14 British ships of the line under Admiral George Anson against a French 30-ship convoy commanded by Admiral de la Jonquière. The French were attempting to protect their merchant ships by using warships with them. The British captured 4 ships of the line, 2 frigates, and 7 merchantmen, in a five-hour battle in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Finisterre in northwest Spain. One French frigate, one French East India Company warship, and the other merchantmen escaped.

Historical Significance

The First Battle of Cape Finisterre (14 May 1747) was waged during the War of the Austrian Succession.

Events Before

  1. Battle of Culloden: Royalist troops under the Duke of Cumberland defeat the Jacobite army of Charles Edward Stuart in th

    Battle of Culloden: Royalist troops under the Duke of Cumberland defeat the Jacobite army of Charles Edward Stuart in the final battle of the Jacobite Rising on British soil

  2. The Peruvian cities of Lima and Callao are demolished by an earthquake, killing 18,000

    The Peruvian cities of Lima and Callao are demolished by an earthquake, killing 18,000

  3. Battle of Falkirk Muir, the Jacobites under Charles Stuart defeat Hanoverian forces

    Battle of Falkirk Muir, the Jacobites under Charles Stuart defeat Hanoverian forces

  4. French troops conquer Brussels

    French troops conquer Brussels

  5. The Duke of Cumberland's troops occupy Aberdeen

    Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (15 April 1721 [N.S.] – 31 October 1765), was the third and youngest son of George II of Great Britain and Ireland and his wife, Caroline of Ansbach.

Events After

  1. The ruins of Pompeii are rediscovered by Spaniard Roque Joaquín de Alcubierre

    The ruins of Pompeii are rediscovered by Spaniard Roque Joaquín de Alcubierre

  2. Britain, Netherlands, Austria & Sardinia sign anti-French treaty

    Britain, Netherlands, Austria & Sardinia sign anti-French treaty

  3. Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle drawn up ending the War of the Austrian Succession

    Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle drawn up ending the War of the Austrian Succession

  4. French troops conquer Maastricht in the War of the Austrian Succession

    The War of the Austrian Succession, 1740 to 1748, was a conflict between the European great powers, fought primarily in Europe, the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.

  5. Amsterdam establishes municipal postal service

    Amsterdam establishes municipal postal service

More from the 1740s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on October 25, 1747?
The First Battle of Cape Finisterre (14 May 1747) was waged during the War of the Austrian Succession. It refers to the attack by 14 British ships of the line under Admiral George Anson against a French 30-ship convoy commanded by Admiral de la Jonquière. The French were attempting to protect their merchant ships by using warships with them.
Why is British fleet under Admiral Sir Edward Hawke defeats the French at the second... significant?
The First Battle of Cape Finisterre (14 May 1747) was waged during the War of the Austrian Succession.

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