On 6 November "Speedy" was standing off Europa Point while escorting a merchant vessel and a transport ship laden with wine for the British fleet when twelve Spanish gun boats raced out from Algeciras to launch an opportunistic attack. Although greatly outgunned, Brenton bore down on the enemy ships and opened fire, enabling the merchant ship to escape to safety. The gunboats then concentrated their efforts on capturing the transport ship. Brenton took "Speedy" amidst the flotilla, close enough to break several oars, while firing broadsides from both sides of the ship and maintaining a brisk musketry for around 45 minutes. The Spanish consequently broke off their attack and ran for the Spanish coast. Meanwhile, "Speedy", which suffered two dead, one wounded and extensive damage to her rigging and hull, was unable to pursue and limped to the Moroccan coast off Tétouan to make hasty repairs. Arriving back in Gibraltar the following day, Brenton received widespread praise for his conduct: the Governor of Gibraltar, General Charles O'Hara, urged the Admiralty to award Brenton a promotion and Rear Admiral Horatio Nelson praised Brenton's "uncommon skill and gallantry". Just days after his triumph, however, Brenton received news his brother, Lieutenant James Wallace Brenton of HMS "Peterel", had been severely wounded during an action with a Spanish privateer. Brenton was given permission to take "Speedy" to Port Mahon where his brother was undergoing treatment but upon arrival discovered he had died from his injuries.