Battle of Cape St Vincent

14 February 1797, Off Cape St Vincent, Portugal

British victory; four Spanish ships taken

Spain had joined France, and the British had left the Mediterranean. Admiral Córdoba sailed from Cartagena with 27 ships of the line to escort a convoy to Cádiz, and Sir John Jervis, with 15, found him in the morning mist off Cape St Vincent, his fleet straggling in two groups. 'The die is cast,' Jervis said when he was told how many there were, 'and if there are fifty sail I will go through them.' Troubridge in Culloden led the British line between the two Spanish groups. As the main Spanish body turned north to escape round the rear of the British line, Commodore Nelson wore Captain out of the line without orders and threw her across their path. Collingwood's Excellent and others came to his help; Nelson boarded San Nicolás, then crossed her deck to take San José, which had fouled her, in what the fleet called 'Nelson's patent bridge for boarding first-rates'. Salvador del Mundo and San Isidro also struck. Jervis became Earl St Vincent and Nelson was knighted.