The Battle of Lagos, 1759

In August 1759 France needed to unite its Mediterranean and Atlantic fleets before invading England. A small British squadron at Gibraltar under Vice-Admiral Edward Boscawen was tasked with blockading the French at Toulon. When the French ran through the Straits of Gibraltar, Boscawen's fleet rapidly got to sea and chased. Confusion among Boscawen's captains and the French unwillingness to stand and fight ensured that the Battle of Lagos was not decisive, but three French ships were taken, two were driven ashore and burned, and the battle became an important precursor to the more famous Battle of Quiberon Bay of November 1759.