The action of 16 March 1782 was a naval engagement between a British Royal Naval frigate HMS Success and a Spanish frigate in the Strait of Gibraltar during the American War of Independence. On 16 March 1782 the 32-gun frigate Success under the command of Captain Charles Pole, and the armed store-ship (mounting 22 long six-pounders) commanded by John Falconer were off Cape Spartel, Morocco, on their voyage to Gibraltar. They sighted the Spanish 12-pounder 34-gun frigate Santa Catalina commanded by Don Miguel Tacón. This ship was part of a squadron keeping lookout for any relief convoys heading into Gibraltar, which was then under siege.