Cape Finisterre, battles of

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Cape Finisterre, battles of, 1747. The two encounters, in May and October 1747, were very similar in character, since they arose from the Royal Navy's attempt to cut off French communication with its American possessions. In the first, Anson annihilated a smaller squadron protecting a convoy. In the second, Hawke sank six out of nine warships, though most of the merchantmen managed to escape.

J. A. Cannon

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Cape Finisterre

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