The action of 11 November 1779 was a minor naval engagement between the British Royal Naval frigate and the Spanish frigate ''Santa Margarita'' off

Lisbon Lisbon ( ; ) is the capital and largest city of Portugal, with an estimated population of 567,131, as of 2023, within its administrative limits and 3,028,000 within the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, metropolis, as of 2025. Lisbon is mainlan ...

during the Anglo-Spanish War. On 11 November, Captain

Alexander Graeme Admiral Alexander Graeme (9 December 1741 – 5 August 1818) was a Royal Navy officer who became Commander-in-Chief, The Nore. Naval career Born at ''Graemeshall'' in Orkney, Graeme became commanding officer of the sloop HMS ''Kingfisher'' in ...

in ''Tartar'', belonging to the squadron under Commodore George Johnstone, was off Lisbon when he sighted the Spanish 38-gun frigate ''Santa Margarita''. ''Tartar'', with the wind behind her, caught up and engaged the Spanish vessel. After around two hours of fighting ''Santa Marguerita'' was almost dismasted when her captain decided to

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her colours.Allen 255 ''Santa Margarita'' was added to the

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...

under her existing name as a 12-pounder 36-gun frigate. She had a very long career, serving until 1836.

Notes

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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Action of 11 November 1779 1779 in Portugal Conflicts in 1779 Naval battles of the American Revolutionary War involving Great Britain Naval battles of the American Revolutionary War involving Spain Naval battles of the Anglo-Spanish War (1779–1783)