The action of 12 December 1782 was a naval engagement fought off the coast of Spain near Ferrol, in which the British 40-gun fifth rate HMS Mediator successfully attacked a convoy of five armed ships.

The Frenchman Pierre Beaumarchais founded a commercial enterprise, Roderigue Hortalez and Co., supported by France and Spain.

The French and Spanish supplied the American rebels with weapons, munitions, clothes, and provisions that would never be paid for.

[6] On 12 December, at 7:00am, HMS Mediator, under the command of James Luttrell, was sailing off Ferrol when she sighted the convoy.

Notwithstanding this formidable array, Captain Luttrell continued bearing down and at 10:00am Ménagère initiated the action.

[8] Once Luttrell had succeeded in removing the prisoners and placing a prize-master and crew on board Alexander, he pursued the retreating ships.

[8][10] Mediator sustained only seven casualties in her crew but was cut up in the riggings in masts which had been the target of the French and American ships.

[7] Despite being well-treated, Captain Gregory organized a party of the prisoners in an attempt to gain possession of Mediator.

[12] The action was the final clash of arms in which American forces were engaged before the Treaty of Paris concluded the war.