Hermione's crew had handed the ship to Spain in 1797. Two years later she lay at Puerto Cabello with 385 men aboard, between two shore batteries. Captain Hamilton attacked with HMS Surprise and recovered the ship after fierce fighting. The casualty figures given are 119 Spanish dead and 97 wounded against twelve British wounded.
Notable Point · 1:46:35-1:47:16
HMS Surprise recaptures Hermione at Puerto Cabello
Captain Edward Hamilton's HMS Surprise recovered the former HMS Hermione from Spanish service in a cutting-out action at Puerto Cabello in 1799.