The beginning.....

The fleets come together in the fog

The Spanish fleet had sailed from Cartagena with the intention of making for Cadiz, and then on to Brest to join the French. They passed through the Straits of Gibraltar on 5th February 1797, under strong eastely gales which pushed them far out into the Atlantic. When the easterly gales eased, and the wind veered to the west, the Spanish fleet could now make their way back to Cadiz.

Commodore Nelson in Minerve had sailed from Gibraltar on the 11th February. That night, in dense fog, Minerve passed through the Spanish fleet, heading for Cadiz, unseen by the sleeping lookouts.

Nelson now knew the whereabouts of the Spanish fleet and it was vital to find Admiral Jervis' squadron and pass on the news.

Nelson found the British squadron off Cape St. Vincent on February 13th and immediately repaired on board Victory to discuss with Jervis. That night Jervis dined with Nelson, Sir William Elliott, Captain Hallowell and Captain Calder. Jervis proposed a toast to victory in the battle that he now knew was imminent and that night made his will. He did not go to bed at all, but remained receiving reports and planning the coming battle.

During the night came the sounds that the English fleet had been waiting to hear - the signal guns of the Spanish ships in the fog. At 2.50am, came the report that the Spanish fleet was some 15 miles distant. By early morning, at 5.30am, Niger reported them to be closer still. As the dawn came it brought a cold and foggy February morning. In the increasing light, Jervis saw his fleet around him, formed into two lines of battle. He turned to his officers on the quarter-deck of Victory and said, 'A victory to England is very essential at this moment.' Jervis gave orders for the fleet to prepare for the coming action.

Captain Thomas Troubridge in Culloden was in the lead. At 6.30am, Culloden signalled that she could see 5 enemy sail to the south east, and then with Blenheim and Prince George turned towards the Spanish ships. Jervis had no idea of the size of the fleet he was up against. As they loome up out of the fog, a signal lieutenant in Barfleur described them as 'thumpers, looming like Beachy Head in a fog'.

On the quarter-deck of Victory, Jervis, Captain Calder and Captain Hallowell counted the ships:

"There are eight sail of the line, Sir John" Very well, sir" "There are twenty sail of the line, Sir John" Very well, sir" "There are twenty five sail of the line, Sir John" Very well, sir" "There are twenty seven sail of the line, Sir John" "Enough, sir, no more of that; the die is cast, and if there are fifty sail I will go through them"

At this point, Captain Hallowell became so excited that he thumped the Admiral on the back! "That's right Sir John, and, by God, we'll give them a damn good licking!"

As the light grew, it became obvious that the Spanish ships were formed in two loose columns, one of about eighteen ships to windward and the other, of about 9 ships, somewhat closer to the British. At about 10.30am, the Spanish ships in the weather column were seen to wear ship and turn to port. This gave the impression that they might form a line and pass along the weather column of the British fleet, exposing the smaller British column to the fire of the larger Spanish division.

At 11.00am, Jervis gave his order:

When this order was completed the British fleet had formed a single line of battle, sailing in a southerly direction on a course to pass between the two Spanish columns.

At 11.12am, Jervis made his next signal:

and then at 11.30am,

The Battle of Cape St. Vincent had begun.

11.30am:

• Guns will open fire as they come to bear!

  Battle commences, Culloden opens fire

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Page creation: Peter Milford - St Vincent College, February 1997