Capture of Minorca (1798)

Capture of Minorca
Part of the Mediterranean campaign
during the War of the Second Coalition

Port Mahon, Minorca with British Men-of-War at Anchor, John Thomas Serres
Date7–15 November 1798
Location39°57′00″N 4°03′00″E / 39.9500°N 4.0500°E / 39.9500; 4.0500
Result British victory
Territorial
changes
Menorca occupied by the British until 1802
Belligerents
 Great Britain Spain
Commanders and leaders
John Duckworth
Charles Stuart
Juan de Quesada
Strength
6,000
20 warships
4,000
8 frigates[1]
Casualties and losses
Light Light
4,000 captured[2]
4 frigates captured[2]

In November 1798 a British expedition captured the island of Menorca (historically called "Minorca" by the British) from Spain. A large force under General Charles Stuart landed on the island and forced its Spanish garrison to surrender in eight days with only some bloodshed. The British occupied the island for four years, using it as a major naval base, before handing it back to Spain following the Treaty of Amiens.

  1. ^ James, p. 196
  2. ^ a b Clowes, p. 378