Action of 20 November 1779
The Acton of 20 November 1779 was a naval engagement of the European theatre of the American Revolutionary War that took place in the Atlantic. It was fought between a 50-gun Royal Naval ship against an armed Spanish register merchant ship that carried 26 guns. On 19 November 1779, HMS "Hussar" of 28 guns, under Captain Elliot Salter, was in company with HMS "Chatham" of 50 guns. They were convoying trade from Lisbon back to England when they saw a two-decked ship standing out of the convoy, and at once gave chase. "Hussar  came up with the ship the next day and, on observing the Spanish flag being hoisted, Salter gave the order to attack. Hussar" came alongside the Spanish ship and opened fire and, having the weather gage, was able to rake the ship. After a number of broadsides and realizing resistance was useless, the Spaniard struck after nearly 45 minutes of action. The Spanish ship was the "Nuestra Senora del Buen Consejo", a Peruvian register ship from Lima pierced for 64 guns but mounting only 26 twelve-pounders with a crew of 120 sailors and marines. "Consejo" had 27 men killed  and eight wounded with the rest captured; whilst the "Hussar" had four killed and ten wounded. "Buen Consejo" carried a valuable cargo consisting of copper, pewter, cocoa, Jesuit's bark, minerals and private goods, all of which were taken by the British back to England.