The Battle of Malaga, 13th August 1704: A major Mediterranean action following the historic capture of Gibraltar by Anglo-Dutch forces the previous month

By the time the 'War of the Spanish Succession' began in 1702, England and the United Netherlands - allied under their joint ruler William III, King and Stadholder - had already decided to champion the cause of the Austrian claimant to the throne of Spain, and although most of the ensuing fighting was to be land-based, within Europe, the strategic importance of Gibraltar, as gateway to the Mediterranean, was not lost upon the Admiralty in London. Accordingly, as the Duke of Marlborough's campaign along the Danube was gathering momentum in the summer of 1704, the allies also decided to mount an attack on the Spanish fortress of Gibraltar. The combined attack commenced on 21st July and after a brief siege and bombardment lasting only three days, the allied landing parties were by then so well entrenched that the Spanish governor surrendered on the 24th. British marines marched in the same evening and the Union Flag was hoisted over the Rock from where it has continued to fly, despite repeated Spanish attempts - often with French assistance - to dislodge it.

The first such attempt came only weeks after Gibraltar had fallen, when the Comte de Toulouse led a combined Franco-Spanish fleet of 51 ships-of-the-line out of Toulon intent on defeating the allied fleet stationed in the western Mediterranean and thereby retaking the fortress. Sighted by H.M.S. Centurion on the morning of 9th August, the news that the enemy fleet was at sea reached Admiral Sir George Rooke, commanding the allied fleet, later the same day. Rooke, correctly gauging the enemy's objective, decided to range his ships to the east of Gibraltar so as to be ready to engage Toulouse's fleet at the first opportunity. Two days passed without a sighting until, early on the 12th, Rooke realised that he had not only left Gibraltar's defences perilously weak, but that the enemy might already have gone around the allied shield and be menacing the very fortress he was trying to protect. Sending out his fast frigates, the Franco-Spanish fleet was quickly spotted off Cape Malaga whereupon Rooke ordered his fleet to form up into its battle lines. Before battle could be joined however, the wind dropped away and the two fleets drifted apart during the afternoon.

Early the next morning, the 13th, the allies sighted the French about nine miles ahead of them and Rooke gave orders to attack. The two fleets were remarkably well-matched, with each side having 51 ships-of-the-line respectively mounting 3,636 (Anglo-Dutch) and 3,596 (Franco-Spanish) guns. Rooke, in the centre, engaged his French counterpart; the allied van, commanded by Admiral Sir Cloudisley Shovell, took on Vice-Admiral de Saint-Aubin, whilst in the rear, the French under Vice-Admiral de Sebeville took on the Dutch Admiral Callenburgh's squadron. Thanks to the evenly balanced firepower of both sides, the battle soon developed into a heavy artillery duel, essentially devoid of any tactical manoeuvre despite continuing throughout the day. Moreover, neither side was able to boast the capture of a single ship, many of which were severely damaged, and casualties were extremely high throughout both fleets. As night fell, Toulouse broke off the engagement without knowing that Rooke's ships were, in fact, critically short of ammunition and the Frenchman, unexpectedly, declined to fight the next day. In time-honoured fashion, both commanders claimed victory for what was undoubtedly a drawn battle; however, the French were sufficiently mauled to decide against another operation to try and recapture Gibraltar for Spain and, indeed, the allies remained unchallenged at sea for the remainder of the War.

This fine view by a rare artist about whom little is known clearly shows the general melée of the two fleets heavily engaged with, in the distance, the 'Rock of Gibraltar' dominating the western horizon as the painting's identifying signature.