Action of 4 April 1808

Action of 4 April 1808
Part of the Napoleonic Wars

1783 map of the Bay of Cádiz
Date4 April 1808
Location
Result British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom Spain
Commanders and leaders
Murray Maxwell Unknown
Strength
2 frigates
1 brig sloop
20 gunboats
Shore batteries
Casualties and losses
1 killed
2 wounded
2 gunboats destroyed
7 merchant ships captured

The action of 4 April 1808 was a naval engagement off Rota, Andalusia in the Bay of Cádiz during the Napoleonic Wars. The Royal Navy warships HMS Alceste, HMS Mercury and HMS Grasshopper intercepted and defeated a large Spanish convoy protected by twenty gunboats and a train of batteries close to shore.