Battle of Vigo Bay, October 23, 1702. Episode from the War of the Spanish Succession (anonymous, ca. 1705).
In the autumn of 1702, an important sea battle took place off the coast of northwestern Spain, in a quiet inlet called Vigo Bay. Known as the Battle of Vigo Bay, it became one of the most dramatic naval clashes of the early War of the Spanish Succession—a major European conflict over who would control the Spanish Empire after the death of its childless king (Charles II of Spain, 1661–1700).
At the time, a powerful fleet of Spanish treasure ships had just arrived from the Americas, carrying gold, silver, and valuable goods. They were being protected by French warships and hidden inside the bay. But the Allies—Britain and the Dutch Republic—had found out where the fleet was hiding.
Led by Admiral Sir George Rooke (British) and Vice Admiral Philips van Almonde (Dutch), the Allied fleet launched a surprise attack on 23 October 1702. The entrance to the harbor had been blocked with a heavy chain and guarded by forts and ships, but the Allies broke through. In the chaos that followed, most of the Franco-Spanish fleet was destroyed or captured.
Although much of the treasure had already been moved inland, the battle was still a major victory. It gave the Allies a badly needed morale boost after an earlier failed attempt to capture the port of Cádiz, and it showed their naval strength. The event also had diplomatic effects: soon after the battle, Portugal switched sides to join the Allies.
Today, the Battle of Vigo Bay is remembered not just for its daring naval tactics, but also for its impact on the larger war. It’s a reminder of how battles at sea could shape the course of European politics and global trade in the early 18th century.
