Engagement between Sir George Brydges Rodney and the Spanish Squadron

In 1779 Spain entered the war for American Independence. Their immediate goal was the recapture of Gibraltar and Minorca (British strategic strongholds). With this new threat, England’s primary concern was the fortification of these strongholds. The engagement between Admiral Rodney and the Spanish squadron, commanded by Don Juan de Langara, was on January 16, 1780 near Cape St. Vincent. It ended with a British victory.