The
Ferrol Expedition (or
Battle of Brión) took place on 25 and 26 August 1800, and was an unsuccessful British attempt to capture Ferrol from Spain. Ferrol was a major Spanish naval base with a shipyard for shipbuilding and dry dock for repairs.
After a heavy cannonade against a small Spanish fort of eight 24 pound cannon by the British ships of the line HMS Impetueux with 74 guns, HMS London with 96 guns, HMS Courageux, HMS Renown and HMS Captain, each with 74 guns, under the command of under the superintendence of Sir Edward Pellew, the British effected a landing at a small opening near Cape Prior. The army commander was Lieutenant-general Sir James Pulteney. The force landed consisted of seven British regiments, one of two battalions, and the rifle-corps totaling 8,000 troops and 16 field pieces.
The Spanish defenders of Ferrol were: Don Francisco Melgarejo, commander of the naval department; Juan Moreno, commander of the squadron stationed in the harbour; Don Francisco Xavier Negrété, captain-general of the province; and Field Marshal Count Donadio, who commanded the fortifications that protected the coast. The Spanish ship of the line were: Real Carlos and San Hermenegildo, each 112 guns; San Fernando, 96 guns; Argonauta, 80 guns; San Antonio and San Augustin, each 74 guns.
The British rifle-corps advanced up a ridge and was attacked by a Spanish detachment which it drove back with some loss. Early on the morning of the 26 August a considerable body of Spanish attacked the British on the heights of Brion and Balon but they were repulsed. British casualties were 16 killed and 68 wounded. The heights overlooked the town and harbour of Ferrol. That night, after observing the strength of the fortifications, the British troops and artillery were embarked back on their ships.
Spanish victory
15000 britanniques (environ 80 pertes) vs 2000 à 4000 espagnols (environ 140 pertes)
[th]Comandantes[/th]
Mariscal de campo Donadío Teniente General Moreno | Contralmirante Warren General Pulteney |
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Fuerzas españolas
[*]10 cañoneros
[*]Regimiento de Infantería
Asturias, 1º y 2º Batallón
[*]Regimiento de Infantería
Órdenes Militares, 2º Batallón
[*]Regimiento de Infantería
Inmemorial del Rey, 3º Batallón
[*]Regimiento de Infantería
Guadalajara[*]Regimiento de Infantería
América, 2º Batallón
[*]Regimiento de Infantería
África, 1º Batallón
[*]Regimiento Provincial de Pontevedra
[*]Regimiento Provincial de Orense
[*]División de Granaderos y Cazadores Provinciales de Galicia
[*]Real Cuerpo de Artillería, 3º Batallón
[*]Fachos, cuatro trozos de la comarca
[*]Milicias
[*]Fuerzas de marinería e Infantería de Marina pertenecientes a los navíos que se encontraban en el puerto.
[*]Operarios de la Maestranza
[*]Paisanos, 400 armados en el Arsenal para la defensa de la plaza.
lien :
- La Batalla de Brión - todoababor.es