As it is a prominent landfall on the route from northern Europe to the Mediterranean, several naval battles took place near the Cape. Notable battles include the First Battle of Cape Finisterre in 1747 during the War of the Austrian Succession and the Battle of Cape Finisterre in 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars. Both these battles were between the British Royal Navy and the French Navy, who were constantly battling for control of seas during the 18th century. The coast, known locally as the "Costa da Morte" (Death Coast), has been the site of numerous shipwrecks and founderings, including that of the British ironclad HMS "Captain", leading to the loss of nearly 500 lives, in 1870.