[3] For Foxall's second voyage as captain of Royal George, his first officer was Nathaniel Dance, who would go on to distinguish himself in 1803 at the Battle of Pulo Aura.

Royal George left Portsmouth on 27 July 1780,[3] as part of an enormous convoy of 63 merchantmen, including four more East Indiamen, Gatton, Godfrey, Mountstuart, and Hillsborough.

On 8 August 1780 unusual sails were seen, and Moutray signalled to his ships to alter course and follow him close to the wind.

It was a blow to British commerce, and especially to the forces in the West Indies, which lost a vast quantity of military stores.

Spanish records reported that Royal George was carrying a crew of 122 men, 17 troops, five women, and 10 other passengers.