Fought August 2, B.C. 216, between 90,000 Romans under Varro, and about 50,000 Carthaginians under Hannibal. Hannibal, though outnumbered in infantry, was much superior in cavalry. The Romans were drawn up with the sea in their rear, and were attacked and broken by the Carthaginian horse. The infantry followed up the attack, and, flight being impossible, the Romans were slaughtered where they stood, 80,000 falling, including the Consul Æmilius, 25 superior officers, and 80 senators. The Carthaginians lost 6,000.
Cape Bona (Invasion of the Vandals).
Fought 468, between the Roman fleet of 1,100 galleys and transports under Basiliscus, and the fleet of the Vandals under Genseric. The Romans were lying at anchor, having landed their troops, and Genseric, taking advantage of a favourable wind, sent in a fleet of fireships, following them up by a determined attack. More than half the Roman ships were destroyed, Basiliscus escaping with difficulty.
Cape Finisterre (War of the Austrian Succession).
Fought May 3, 1747, between a British fleet of 16 sail under Admiral Anson, and a French fleet of 38 sail under Admiral de la Jonquière. The French were completely defeated, losing 10 ships and nearly 3,000 prisoners.
Cape Finisterre (War of the Austrian Succession).
Fought October 14, 1747, when a British fleet of 14 ships under Admiral Hawke attacked a French fleet of 9 battleships under Admiral de Letendeur. The French were signally defeated, losing four ships. The British lost 598 killed and wounded.
Cape Finisterre (Napoleonic Wars).
Fought July 22, 1805, between a British fleet of 15 sail of the line under Sir Robert Calder, and the combined French and Spanish fleets returning from the West Indies, under Admiral Villeneuve. The French fleet, consisting of 20 battleships, was attacked by Calder, who captured 2 ships. Fogs and light airs prevented him from following up his advantage next day, for which he was tried by court-martial and most unjustly censured. The British loss was 183 killed and wounded, the French losing 149 killed and 327 wounded.