Battle of Cape Spartel

Battle of Cape Spartel
Part of the American Revolutionary War
Relief of Gibraltar by Earl Howe, 11 October 1782, Richard Paton
Date 20 October 1782 Location Off Cape Spartel, Atlantic Ocean 35°55′33″N 5°54′39″W / 35.9257°N 5.9109°W / 35.9257; -5.9109 Result Indecisive Retreat of the British fleet[1] Supply route to Gibraltar remains open[2]
Belligerents
Great Britain	Spain  France
Commanders and leaders
Richard Howe	Luis de Córdova
Strength
34 ships of the line 1 frigate	34 ships of the line
Casualties and losses
276 killed and wounded	360 killed and wounded

The Battle of Cape Spartel was an indecisive naval battle between a Franco-Spanish fleet under Admiral Luis de Córdova y Córdova and a British fleet under Admiral Richard Howe. These forces met on 20 October 1782 after Howe successfully resupplied Gibraltar, then under siege by Bourbon forces during the American Revolutionary War.