Action of 25 January 1797

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Action of 25 January 1797
Part of the Anglo-Spanish War (1796–1808) during the War of the First Coalition
Battle between San Francisco de Asís and three British frigates and a corvette – oil on canvas, Naval Museum of Madrid
Date 25 January 1797 Location Gulf of Cádiz, Spain 36°50′N 7°10′W / 36.833°N 7.167°W / 36.833; -7.167 Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	Spain
Commanders and leaders
George Stewart	Alonso de Torres y Guerra
Strength
3 fifth-rate frigates, 1 sixth-rate sloop[1]	1 third-rate ship of line[1]
Casualties and losses
Unknown	2 killed 12 wounded 1 ship slightly damaged[2]
class=notpageimage| Location within Europe

The action of 25 January 1797 was a minor naval battle of the French Revolutionary Wars, fought in the Gulf of Cádiz. The Spanish third-rate ship of the line San Francisco de Asís was attacked and pursued for several hours by a British squadron of three fifth-rates frigates and a sixth-rate corvette under George Stewart, 8th Earl of Galloway. After an intermittent but fierce exchange of fire, the British warships, badly damaged, were eventually forced to withdraw.^{[1][better source needed]} The San Francisco de Asís, which suffered only minor damage, was able to return to Cádiz without difficulties. The commander of the ship, Captain Alonso de Torres y Guerra, was promoted for his success.