February 9th 1744

Battle at Toulon

The naval battle of Toulon or Battle of Cape Sicie took place on 9 February 1744 in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Toulon, France. A combined Franco-Spanish fleet fought off Britain's Mediterranean fleet. The French fleet, officially at peace with Great Britain, only joined the fighting late, when it was clear that the greatly outnumbered Spanish fleet had gained the advantage over its foe. with the French intervention, the British fleet was forced to withdraw.

In Britain the battle was regarded as a national disgrace; the Franco-Spanish fleet successfully ended the British blockade and inflicted considerably more damage to the British then they received, causing the British to withdraw to Minorca in a need of heavy repairs. The retreat of Admiral Mathews' fleet left the Mediterranean Sea temporarily under Spanish control, allowing the opposite navy to deliver troops and supplies to the Spanish army in Italy, decisively swinging the war there in their favor.