The Battle of Algeciras Bay began on July 8 1801, between a British squadron of seven ships of the line, one frigate and one brig, under Admiral Sir James Saumarez, and a French squadron of three line-of-battle ships and one frigate, under Admiral Linois . The French were aided by the Spanish gunboats and the shore batteries, and Saumerez lost the Hannibal , which ran ashore, and was captured by the French. The British lost 121 killed and 240 wounded, the French 306 killed.
On July 12, the French squadron, which had been reinforced meanwhile by five Spanish ships of the line, was again attacked by Saumarez, who succeeded in capturing the St Antoine and blowing up Hermenegilda . The British lost 17 killed and 100 wounded; the allies, 2,000, chiefly on Hermenengilda.
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