Action of 5 October 1804

36°53′48″N 7°53′42″W / 36.89663°N 7.895033°W / 36.89663; -7.895033

The action of 5 October 1804 was a naval engagement that took place off the southern coast of Portugal during the Napoleonic Wars. In this confrontation, a British squadron under the command of Commodore Graham Moore attacked and defeated a Spanish squadron led by Brigadier Don José de Bustamante. Although Britain and Spain were technically at peace at the time, tensions were high, and the British sought to intercept Spanish ships carrying treasure from the Americas. The attack resulted in the capture of three Spanish frigates and the destruction of a fourth, escalating tensions and leading Spain to declare war on Britain shortly afterward.