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Battle of Cape St. Vincent - 11.30am
The ships of the Spanish lee division were undecided as to their actions when they saw the British fleet forming the single line of battle. They decided that they were unable to cross the bows of the British and eventually hauled over on to the starboard tack and set sail in a north easterly direction. One ship, a 74, made full sail and turned to the south east and was soon out of sight. At 11.30am, Culloden in the vanguard of the British line, opened fire as her guns came to bear. Each of the ships following her opened fire as they came within range of the Spanish. Culloden fired a double shotted broadside, "fired", said Troubridge, "as if by a seconds watch and in the silence of a port-admirals inspection". As soon as Culloden had passed the last ship of the Spanish column, she was ordered to tack to come around behind the Spanish. However, Troubridge had anticipated this signal and flew his acknowledgment before the order broke from the flagship's signal halyards.
12.30pm
Page creation: Peter Milford - St Vincent College, February 1997
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