Battle of Cape St. VincentFebruary 14th 1797
Two convoys were to proceed to sea and take separate courses for Gibraltar - on the assumption that, if the French fleet were to be at sea, at least one convoy would get through. Minerve and Romulus were to sail in company, taking the coastal route to look in on Toulon and Cartagena on the way. Nelson, by now appointed Commodore, sailed in Minerve. The ships sailed from Elba on January 29th 1797. Minerve remained with the convoy until evening then turned for Toulon. At Toulon, all was normal so Nelson set course to pass along the Spanish coast bound for Cartagena. To his horror he found that the port of Cartagena was empty - the Spanish fleet had sailed. Jervis had already withdrawn his fleet from the Mediterranean and was patrolling off Cape St. Vincent with the intention of blocking the Spanish move to sail north. With the withdrawal from Elba, there was now no British naval presence in the Mediterranean. Jervis' squadron was depleted through damage and he had only 10 sail of the line. On February 5th he sighted reinforcements arriving from England, Prince George, Namur, Irresistible, Colossus and Orion. Jervis was pleased to see these ships, not only were they welcome reinforcements but they were led by experience captains and Rear Admiral Parker. 'Thank you for sending so good a batch, they are a valuable addition to my excellent stock' wrote Jervis to the Admiralty. Jervis' squadron now numbered 15 ships of the line. In Paris, the Directory had requested that the Spanish fleet should sail from Cartagena and proceed, in easy stages, for Brest, there to join up with the French fleet (Admiral Morard de Galles) to cover the invasion of England by the French army. The fleet had sailed from Cartagena shortly before the arrival of Nelson with the intention of passing through the Straits of Gibraltar and making for Cadiz. The Spanish ships were seen pssing through the Straits of Gibraltar on 5th February. Under strong easterly winds they were blown out into the Atlantic and were unable to make for Cadiz. Nelson sailed from Gibraltar on 11th February and made his way westwards towards Admiral Jervis' squadron. The night was foggy as the wind changed from the easterly gales to westerly winds from the Atlantic. The Spanish ships were now able to work back for Cadiz. Minerve passed between the dim shapes of the Spanish fleet during the night - unseen by the sleeping Spanish lookouts. Well clear of the Spanish at daybreak, Nelson crowded on sail and made for Cape St. Vincent with the hope of finding Admiral Jervis. Nelson found Jervis on 13th February 1797.
Page creation: Peter Milford - St Vincent College, February 1997
Updated: 1998, 1999, 2000
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In 1793, Napoleon was appointed to command the artillery in the siege of Toulon. After
the fall of Toulon, Napoleon returned to Paris. France made peace with Spain, giving Napoleon the opportunity to begin campaigns against
Austria and Piedmont. Admiral Hotham gave Captain Nelson command of a squadron of frigates with the intention of harassing French supply lines
along the Ligurian coast. Nelson directed his ships to stop all trade between Italy and France, with considerable effect. However, Napoleon
directed his army south and fought his way towards Genoa and Leghorn. Admiral Jervis now commanded the blockade off Toulon - Nelson was
ordered to cover the evacuation of British personnel from Leghorn to Elba. In late 1796, plans were drawn up for the evacuation of Elba. Spain
was now allied with France, giving the French access to the Spanish fleet.
