Battle of Cape St. Vincent (1780) Battle of Cape St. Vincent (1780) The Battle of Cape St. Vincent was a naval battle took place off the southern coast of Portugal on 16 January 1780 during the Anglo-Spanish War. A British fleet under Admiral Sir George Rodney defeated a Spanish squadron under Don Juan de Lángara. The battle is sometimes referred to as the Moonlight Battle because it was unusual for naval battles in the Age of Sail to take place at night. It was also the first major naval victory for the British over their European enemies in the war and proved the value of copper-sheathing
St Vincent Squadron purposes, although each member remains within the Squadron they joined in Phase 1. Wave Ruler, the RFA intake, is also part of the Squadron for their time at BRNC. The Squadron is named after John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent in recognition for his Naval Accomplishments, most notably becoming First Lord of the Admiralty in 1801. He served with HMS Victory as his flagship at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent in 1797, and commanded a promising young Captain Nelson. The Squadron has two mascot goldfish that live outside of the VSO's office above the Junior Gun Room. St