Battle of Cape Finisterre (1805)

July 22, 1805 · Cape Finisterre

Result Inconclusive

A British fleet under Admiral Robert Calder fought the Franco-Spanish fleet under Villeneuve off northwest Spain and took two Spanish ships. The inconclusive battle helped end Napoleon's plan to invade Britain.

On the map Contemporaries

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

First French Empire

United Kingdom

France

Spain

Pierre-Charles Villeneuve military commander

Federico Gravina military commander

Strength and losses

Strength: c. 9,000
Casualties: c. 300
Killed: 41
Wounded: 162
Ships: c. 19
Guns: c. 1,300

Strength: c. 13,000
Casualties: c. 1,500
Killed: 158
Wounded: 320
Captured: 1,200c. 1,000
Ships: c. 29
Ships lost: c. 2
Ships captured: 2
Guns: c. 1,820