Capture of the Rosily Squadron

9–14 June 1808, Cádiz, Spain

Spanish victory; the whole French squadron surrendered

Five French ships of the line and a frigate that had escaped from Trafalgar had lain in Cádiz under British blockade ever since, under Vice-Admiral Rosily. When Spain rose against Napoleon in May 1808, Rosily found himself in an enemy port. He moved his ships up the channel towards La Carraca, out of reach of the forts, and offered to land his guns if he could keep his men aboard and fly no colours. The governor, Tomás de Morla, demanded his surrender instead, and the Spanish built batteries on the Isla de León and near Fort Luis. On 9 June the batteries and a flotilla of gunboats and mortar boats opened fire, and kept it up the next day until Rosily's flagship Héros hoisted a flag of truce. Talks failed, and on the 14th, with a new battery of thirty 24-pounders ready and more boats in position, Rosily surrendered his squadron and some 4,000 men. Collingwood, blockading outside, had offered to help and been refused. Within weeks Britain and Spain were allies.