the action of 25 february 1781 was a naval engagement fought Hostile_encounter off cape finisterre between the spanish naval frigate sixth rate `` unk '' of 30 guns and the royal navy fifth-rate frigate hms `` cerberus '' of 32 guns .

on 25 february 1781 , whilst cruising Patrolling 20 leagues off cape finisterre , hms `` cerberus '' , under captain robert mann , sighted Traveling `` unk '' .