Action of 19 January 1799

Action of 19 January 1799
Part of the French Revolutionary Wars
Engraving of Gibraltar as seen from the north, depicting the view as seen in 1852.
Date 19 January 1799 Location Off Punta Europa, Strait of Gibraltar Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	Spain
Commanders and leaders
Unknown	Mourelle de la Rúa
Strength
1 third-rate, 1 gun-brig, 3 gunboats, 4 merchant ships, 3 merchant brigs[1]	1 mistico, 14 gunboats[1]
Casualties and losses
1 gunboat sunk, 1 merchant ship captured, 2 merchant brigs captured, 1 gunboat captured, 120 prisoners[1]	minor

The action of 19 January 1799 was a minor naval battle of the French Revolutionary Wars fought in waters of the Strait of Gibraltar, off Punta Europa. A Spanish squadron of 14 gunboats with a mistico as flagship, commanded by Francisco Mourelle de la Rua, attacked a British merchant convoy escorted by several Royal Navy warships, among them a 74-gun ship of the line. The British warships failed to defend the convoy, losing a gunboat sunk and another captured. The convoy also lost a ship and two brigs. For this action Mourelle de la Rua was promoted to frigate captain.^[1]