Action of 8 January 1780

Action of 8 January 1780
Part of the American Revolutionary War
George Rodney. Engraving from Edward Francis Finden
Date 8 January 1780 Location off Cape Finisterre 43°00′N 20°15′W / 43.000°N 20.250°W / 43.000; -20.250 Result British victory
Belligerents
Spain Caracas company	Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Don Juan Augustín de Yardi (POW)	George Rodney
Strength
1 ship of the line 4 frigates 2 small warships 15 merchant ships	20 ships of the line 6 frigates
Casualties and losses
All ships captured [1]	Light

The action of 8 January 1780 was a naval encounter off Cape Finisterre between a British Royal Naval fleet under Admiral Sir George Rodney, and a fleet of Spanish merchants sailing in convoy with seven warships^[2][3] of the Caracas Company, under the command of Commodore Don Juan Augustin de Yardi. During the action the entire Spanish convoy was captured. Rodney's fleet was en route to relieve Gibraltar, and this action took place several days before Rodney's engagement and defeat of a Spanish fleet at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent.