The Capture of HMS St. Fermin was a naval engagement that took place off Málaga on 4 April 1781, during the American Revolutionary War.

At the end of December 1779, a large fleet sailed from Great Britain under the command of Admiral Sir George Brydges Rodney, being one of the purposes of this British fleet to resupply Gibraltar, a place that was under siege by Spanish and French forces.

St. Fermin managed to pass the waters of the Strait of Gibraltar without problems, but the Spaniards had several naval stations in the area from where they could detect and intercept British ships.

From the naval station of Punta del Carnero, an enclave south of Algeciras, two square-rigged xebecs of the Spanish Navy sailed to chase the British ship.

[4] The British ship had a crew of 138 men,[3][B] which were taken prisoner by Spanish forces led by Teniente Miguel Pedrueca.