Aftermath of Battle
Admiral Sir John Jervis prepared dispatches for the Admiralty in London and sent Captain Robert Calder of Victory to take passage in the brig Lively to London to deliver them into the hands of their Lordships of the Admiralty. In one dispatch, Nelson, Troubridge and Collingwood were singled out for special praise. Nelson wrote to Collingwood to thank him for coming to the assistance of Captain, Collingwood in return, replied congratulating Nelson on his success The news reached London in early March, almost three weeks after the battle. Parliament heard the news and both houses immediately voted their thanks to Admiral Sir John Jervis and his fleet. The victory was decisive and had come at an opportune moment. It gave the Spanish alliance pause for thought and made an invasion of England less likely. In popular view, it confirmed that no Spaniard was a match for an Englishman at sea. Above all it restored the confidence of the nation, reeling from the retreat from the Mediterranean. St. Vincent demonstrated the power of the fleet under discipline and training, the effectiveness with determined leadership. Later than year came Camperdown, then the Nile and on to Trafalgar.
For his services to the nation, Admiral Sir John Jervis was created Baron Jervis of Meaford in the County of Staffordshire, Earl St. Vincent. He was granted a pension of £3,000 per annum (at a time when the annual pay of an ordinary seaman was £15). Vice Admiral Thompson and Rear Admiral Parker were made Baronets, Vice Admiral Waldegrave was appointed as Governor of Newfoundland. Commodore Horatio Nelson became Sir Horatio Nelson, KB, and was granted the Freedom of the City of London. Shortly after St. Vincent, Commodore Nelson heard that he had been promoted to full flag rank - and became Rear Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson. Captain Robert Calder was knighted. A gold medal was conferred upon each of the Flag Officers and Captains. Captain Cuthbert Collingwood refused to accept his - until he was also given one in recognition of his actions at the Glorious First of June (1794). He said he had, on that occasion also done his duty. He was given both medals, with an apology.
For the Spanish officers there were to be no such honours, although they had fought bravely and well. When Don José Cordoba y Ramos arrived in Cadiz it was to find a carriage with cavalry escort to take him to Madrid and court martial. Many Spanish officers were publicly deprived of their rank whilst others were severely reprimanded. They paid the price for the folly of a government that sent to sea a fleet that was not fit to fight such a fleet action. The close quarters action had showed again that the Spanish policy of building large and superb ships, but not providing sufficient well trained officers and crews to man them was disastrous.
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Page creation: Peter Milford - St Vincent College, February 1997 Updated: February 1st 1997 - 1998, 1999, 2000
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