In 1775 war material from England en route to Melilla was intercepted and captured by the Spanish Navy and Spanish sail approached the beleaguered city; at the same time the Turks began to encroach on Morocco's eastern borders.[1] Sherlocke began to break the siege, a situation exacerbated by the desertion of ben Abdallah's Algerians. Melilla was relieved in March. The end of the siege is still commemorated as Nuestra Señora de la Victoria, "Our Lady of Victory."