The Battle of Cape Passaro, also known as Battle of Avola or Battle of Syracuse, was a major naval battle fought on 11 August 1718 between a fleet of the British Royal Navy under Admiral Sir George Byng and a fleet of the Spanish Navy under Rear-Admiral Antonio de Gaztañeta. It was fought off Cape Passaro, in the southern tip of the island of Sicily of which Spain had occupied. Spain and Britain were at peace, but Britain was already committed to supporting the ambitions of the Emperor Charles VI in southern Italy.
The Battle of Cape Passaro, 11 August 1718, Richard Paton
Philip V of Spain around 1720. Oil on canvas by Miguel Jacinto Meléndez in the Prado Museum.
Giulio Alberoni
Portrait of José Patiño by Jean Ranc commander of the Spanish expedition
George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington
Admiral of the Fleet George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington,, of Southill Park in Bedfordshire, was a Royal Navy officer and statesman. While still a lieutenant, he delivered a letter from various captains to Prince William of Orange, who had just landed at Torbay, assuring the Prince of the captains' support; the Prince gave Byng a response which ultimately led to the Royal Navy switching allegiance to the Prince and the Glorious Revolution of November 1688.
Admiral of the Fleet George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington by Jeremiah Davison in 1733
The first-rate HMS Britannia which Byng commanded as flag captain to Admiral Edward Russell
The Battle of Cape Passaro at which Byng commanded the British fleet
George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington by Godfrey Kneller circa 1700