On 7 June 1780 the two largest ships of Gibraltar, HMS "Panther" and HMS "Enterprise", were targeted within Gibraltar's harbour by Spanish fireships. Warning shots from "Enterprise" alerted the garrison and soon an intense bombardment slowed the fire ships. A few were sunk but the others carried on. The Spanish fleet waited just outside the harbour for any British ships trying to escape, so seamen from "Panther" and "Enterprise" set out in longboats, intercepted the fire ships, and towed them off course.