Capturing Spanish treasure ships 1804 Ceramic Tile

4 Frigates capturing Spanish treasure ships Francis Sartorius 1804 Four Spanish frigates with a rich shipment from Montevideo headed for Cadiz. The cargo was ultimately destined for France and therefore potentially for use against the British. Four British frigates lay in wait to capture them. British commander Captain Graham Moore asked the Spanish Admiral to surrender. When he refused, action commenced, and within ten minutes the Spanish ‘Mercedes’ had blown up with the loss of all but one officer and 45 men. Half an hour later the Spanish ships ‘Medea’ and ‘Clara’ both surrendered. The Spanish ‘Fama’ tried to escape but also surrendered after she was chased by the British ‘Lively’. Sartorius.