Action of 20 November 1779

The Acton of 20 November 1779 was a naval engagement of the European theatre of the American Revolutionary War that took place in the Atlantic. It was fought between a 50-gun Royal Naval ship against an armed Spanish register merchant ship that carried 26 guns.[2][3][4]

Action of 20 November 1779
Part of the American Revolutionary War
Date20 November 1779
Location
off Lisbon, Atlantic
Result British victory
Belligerents
 Great Britain Spain
Commanders and leaders
Elliot Salter unknown
Strength

1 Fifth-rate frigate

1 armed merchant ship

  • Nuestra Señora del Buen Consejo
Casualties and losses
4 killed & 10 wounded 1 armed merchant ship captured
38 Killed or wounded
90 captured[1]

On 19 November 1779, HMS Hussar of 28 guns, under Captain Elliot Salter, was in company with HMS Chatham of 50 guns. They were convoying trade from Lisbon back to England when they saw a two-decked ship standing out of the convoy, and at once gave chase. Hussar came up with the ship the next day and, on observing the Spanish flag being hoisted, Salter gave the order to attack.[1] Hussar came alongside the Spanish ship and opened fire and, having the weather gage, was able to rake the ship. After a number of broadsides and realizing resistance was useless, the Spaniard struck after nearly 45 minutes of action.[1]

The Spanish ship was the Nuestra Senora del Buen Consejo, a Peruvian register ship from Lima pierced for 64 guns but mounting only 26 twelve-pounders with a crew of 120 sailors and marines. Consejo had 27 men killed and eight wounded with the rest captured; whilst the Hussar had four killed and ten wounded.[2]

Buen Consejo carried a valuable cargo consisting of copper, pewter, cocoa, Jesuit's bark, minerals and private goods, all of which were taken by the British back to England.[2]

References
Notes
  1. Campbell, John (1817). Lives of the British Admirals: Containing an Accurate Naval History from the Earliest Periods. C.J.Borrington, Strand and J.Harris. p. 482.
  2. Clowes p.46
  3. Haenke, p. 68
  4. Dávalos, p. 114.
Bibliography
  • Allen, Joseph (1852). Battles of the British Navy, Volume 1. Bohn's illustrated library. ASIN B009ZMMQ56.
  • Dávalos, Pedro (1933). Historia republicana del Perú. Librería imprenta Gil.
  • Haenke, Thaddäus (1901). Descripción del Perú. El Lucero.
  • Clowes, William Laird (2003). The Royal Navy: v. 4: A History - From the Earliest Times to 1900. Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1861760128.
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