Chapter V: Part 5

His lordship, while Sir John Jervis, was returning from the House of Commons, of which he was then a member; when, in the Treasury Passage, he perceived Captain Locker at a distance, whom he instantly knew, from the singularity of his looking through an eye-glass fitted at the head of his cane. Sir John immediately hailed his old friend: and Captain Locker, coming up, expressed his happiness at seeing Sir John Jervis; as he wished, he said, to introduce his _eleve_, Captain Nelson.

From that period, till the time when Sir John Jervis took the command of the Mediterranean fleet, he had never again beheld Captain Nelson; who, having served much with Lord Hood, and not knowing Sir John Jervis's generous intentions to bring him still more forward, expressed a wish to return to England in the Agamemnon. That ship, indeed, from it's then bad state, was expected to be soon sent home: but Sir John Jervis seems to have felt more unwilling to part with Captain Nelson than his ship.

On the death of Lord Hervey, the captain of the Zealous, which happened soon after, Sir John Jervis immediately offered Captain Nelson the command of that ship; which he declined, still persisting in his desire to go home.

It was not long, however, before he became sufficiently sensible of Sir John's great attachment to him, and now readily expressed the desire which he felt to remain under his command. They were, thus, mutually pleased with each other; and there resulted, from the harmony which continued to prevail between these two truly great and heroic characters, the utmost possible advantage to their country, and the most complete glory to themselves.

On the 23d of February 1796, Captain Nelson, after looking into Toulon, where there were then thirteen sail of the line and five frigates ready for sea, left the commander in chief to the westward of Toulon, and proceeded to Genoa.

In April, so highly did Sir John Jervis approve of Captain Nelson's conduct, that he promoted him to the rank of temporary commodore, with directions to wear a distinguishing pendant, which was accordingly hoisted on board the old Agamemnon.

In May, orders having arrived for a third rate, the worst ship then in the line, to return home with the convoy, there could be no doubt that the Agamemnon must be the ship: and John Samuel Smith, Esq. the commander of the Captain of seventy-four guns, being in a very ill state of health, and desirous of going to England, Captain Nelson was appointed to Captain Smith's ship; and he was to have went home in the Agamemnon, had he not, shortly after, died at Gibraltar.

So completely, indeed, had Captain Nelson worn out his old and favourite ship, by a series of hard service, that when it went into dock for refitment, there was not a mast, yard, sail, or any part of the rigging, which remained fit for service, the whole having been cut to pieces with shot. The hull, also, was so greatly damaged, that it had for some time been secured and kept together merely by having cables properly served or thrapped round.

On the 11th of August, he obtained the permanent rank of commodore, having a captain appointed to command under him in his new ship.

In the mean time, he had been also incessantly employed, and still continued actively engaged till October, in the various arduous services of blockading Leghorn; taking possession of Porto Ferrajio, with the island of Caprea; and, lastly, in the evacuation of Bastia.

Having convoyed, in safety, all the British troops from Corsica to Porto Ferrajio, he joined Sir John Jervis in St. Fiorenzo Bay, and proceeded with him to Gibraltar.

On his way to Gibraltar, November 5, 1796, in writing to his friend Captain Locker, he remarks that he has seen the first and the last of the kingdom of Corsica, It's situation, he says, was certainly most disirable for us; but the generality of the inhabitants were so greedy of wealth, and so jealous of each other, that it would require the patience of Job, and the riches of Croesus, to satisfy them. He adds, that they say, of themselves, they are only to be governed by the ruling power's shooting all it's enemies, and bribing all it's friends.

In this letter, too, he observes, to his old friend, with evident exultation, that as soon as the fleet is united, which was then expecting to be joined by Admiral Mann, he had no doubt that they should look out for the combined fleet; who, he supposed, were about thirty-four sail of the line, badly manned, and worse ordered: "while our's," exclaims the gallant commodore, "is such a fleet as I never before saw at sea! There is nothing, hardly, beyond our reach. I need not give you the character of Sir John Jervis, you know him well; therefore, I shall only say, that he is worthy of such a fleet, for he knows how to use it in the most beneficial manner for our country."

After landing at Minorca, the 11th of November, where he observes that they were on shore "upon velvet," the fleet proceeded to it's destination, and soon safely arrived.

The commodore, however, remained but a short time at Gibraltar with the fleet; being ordered, by the commander in chief, to remove his broad pendant on board La Minerve frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain George Cockburne; and, accompanied by La Blanche of the same force, Captain Preston commander, immediately to proceed to Porto Ferrajio, for the purpose of bringing away the troops, and naval and military stores, which still remained there, and which were much wanted at Gibraltar, in consequence of the change of circumstances occasioned by the recent commencement of the war with Spain.

During the night of the 19th of December, on his passage to Porto Ferrajio, Commodore Nelson fell in with two Spanish frigates of considerable force. The largest ship, which carried a poop light, was immediately attacked by the commodore; who, at the same time, directed La Blanche to bear down and engage the other. At forty minutes past ten, La Minerve brought it's opponent to close action; and the fire continued, without intermission, till half past one in the morning, when the Spaniard struck. It proved to be La Sabina Spanish frigate of forty guns; twenty-eight of them, on the main deck, being eighteen pounders; with two hundred and eighty-six men, commanded by Captain Don Jacobo Stuart. The captured ship lost it's mizen mast during the action; and the main and fore masts were so damaged, that they both gave way on the very first attempt to carry a press of sail. In this terrible conflict, one hundred and sixty-four Spaniards, more than half the crew, were killed and wounded; while La Minerve, though it's masts were shot through, and it's rigging much cut, had only seven men killed, and thirty-four wounded.

In Commodore Nelson's first letter to Sir John Jervis, relative to this action, dated December 20, 1796, he assumes not the smallest merit, but modestly gives the entire praise to his officers and crew.

"You are, Sir," says he, "so thoroughly acquainted with the merits
of Captain Cockburne, that it is needless for me to express them:
but the discipline of La Minerve does the highest credit to her
captain and lieutenants, and I wish fully to express the sense
which I have of their judgment and gallantry. Lieutenant
Culverhouse, the first lieutenant, is an old officer of very
distinguished merit; Lieutenants Hardy, Gage, and Noble, deserve
every praise which gallantry and zeal justly entitle them to, as
does every other officer and man in the ship.

"You will observe, Sir, I am sure, with regret, among the wounded,
Lieutenant James Noble; who quitted the Captain to serve with me,
and whose merits and repeated wounds, received in fighting the
enemies of our country, entitle him to every reward a grateful
nation can bestow."

In the handsomest manner, he thus liberally concludes with praising his vanquished antagonist--"La Minerve's opponent being commanded by a gallant officer, was well defended; which has caused her list of killed and wounded to be great, and her masts, sails, and rigging, to be much damaged."

Lieutenants Culverhouse and Hardy, with a proper number of men, being put in charge of La Sabina, which was taken in tow, at four in the morning, a Spanish frigate, known by it's signals, was seen coming up; and, at half past four, engaged with La Minerve. Commodore Nelson now cast off the prize, and directed Lieutenant Culverhouse to stand to the southward. After a trial of strength for more than half an hour, the Spaniard wore, and hauled off; or it would, the commodore was confident, have shared the same fate as it's companion.

At this time, three other ships were seen standing for La Minerve. The hope was now alive, that they were only frigates, and that La Blanche was one of them: but, when the day dawned, it was mortifying to find that they were two Spanish ships of the line, and two frigates, while La Blanche was far to windward. In this situation, the enemy, by bringing up the breeze frequently within shot, it required all the skill of Captain Cockburne, which he eminently displayed, to get off with his crippled ship.

"Here," says commodore Nelson, from whose letter to Sir John Jervis
the above facts are chiefly collected, "I must also do justice to
Lieutenants Culverhouse and Hardy, and express my tribute of praise
for their management of the prize. A frigate repeatedly fired into
her without effect; and, at last, the Spanish admiral quitted the
pursuit of La Minerve for that of La Sabina, which was steering a
different course; evidently, with the intention of attracting the
notice of the admiral, as English colours were hoisted over the
Spanish. The Sabina's main and fore masts fell overboard before she
surrendered.

"This is, Sir, an unpleasant tale; but the merits of every officer
and man in La Minerve and her prize, were eminently conspicuous
through the whole of this arduous day. The enemy quitted the
pursuit of La Minerve at dark."

There were ten men wounded in this last attack, but none killed; and the mainmast was much damaged, and the rigging greatly cut.

D'Arcy Preston, Esq. captain of La Blanche, had brought, on the preceding night, a few minutes after La Minerve's first broadside, the smaller Spanish frigate to close action. The enemy made but a trifling resistance, and eight or nine broadsides completely silenced them; when they called out for quarter, and their colours were hauled down.

"I am sorry to add," says Captain Preston, in his letter to
Commodore Nelson, written at sea, December 20, "the very near
approach of three fresh ships, two of which we discovered nearly
within gun-shot before we went into action, rendered my taking
possession of her impracticable; when I wore, to join La Minerve.
Finding the ships did not then close with the frigate, which I had
left much damaged in her hull, sails, and rigging, I again stood
after her: but she had, by this time, got her fore-sail, fore
top-sail, and fore top-gallant sail, set; and not only out-sailed
the Blanche, before the wind, but was joined by another ship
standing from the land.

"Nothing could exceed the steadiness and good conduct of the
first-lieutenant, Mr. Cowen; and the whole of the officers, and
ship's company, I have the honour to command. I have great pleasure
to inform you, that not one person was hurt, or the rigging the
least damaged.

"I beg leave to add, how much I am obliged to Captain Maitland, who
is on board, a passenger, to join his ship, for his very great
assistance on the quarter-deck during the action."

The worthy and gallant commodore was far less chagrined at the loss of these two prizes, than at that of his brave officers and men who were unfortunately on board that of which La Minerve had taken possession. He seized, therefore, the first possible opportunity of sending a letter, by a flag of truce, to his Excellency Don Miguel Gaston, Captain General of the Department of Carthagena, of which the following authentic copy is now for the first time printed.

"His Britannic Majesty's Ship
the Minerve, at Sea,
Dec. 24, 1796.

"SIR,

"The fortune of war put La Sabina into my possession, after she had
been most gallantly defended: the fickle dame returned her to you,
with some of my officers and men in her.

"I have endeavoured to make the captivity of Don Jacobo Stuart, her
brave commander, as light as possible; and I trust to the
generosity of your nation for it's being reciprocal for the British
officers and men.

"I consent, Sir, that Don Jacobo may be exchanged, and at full
liberty to serve his king, when Lieutenants Culverhouse and Hardy
are delivered into the garrison of Gibraltar, with such others as
may be agreed on by the cartel established between Gibraltar and
St. Roche, for the exchange of prisoners.

"I have also a domestic taken in La Sabina, his name is Israel
Coulson. Your excellency will, I am sure, order him to be
immediately restored to me, for which I shall consider myself as
obliged to you.

"I also trust, that those men now prisoners of war with you will be
sent to Gibraltar. It becomes great nations to act with generosity
to each other, and to soften the horrors of war.

"I have the honour to be, with the most perfect esteem, your most
obedient servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

Not satisfied with this single application, he immediately strengthened it by another epistle, which he addressed to the Spanish Admiral, Don Juan Mareno. In this letter, he also kindly bears testimony to the merits of the unfortunate commander of La Sabina. "I cannot," says he, "allow Don Jacobo to return to you, without expressing my admiration of his gallant conduct. To you, who have seen the state of his ship, it is needless to mention the impossibility of her longer defence. I have lost many brave men: but, in our masts, I was most fortunate; or, probably, I should have had the honour of your acquaintance. But it pleased God to order it otherwise, for which I am thankful. I have endeavoured to make Don Jacobo's captivity as easy as possible; and I rely on your generosity, for reciprocal treatment towards my brave officers and men, your prisoners."

On the 24th of December, La Minerve captured, off the south end of Sardinia, a French privateer, called the Maria, of six nine pounders, and sixty-eight men; which was taken in tow, and carried safely into Porto Ferrajio: they arrived at that port on the 27th, and found there six of his majesty's ships at anchor.

After employing upwards of a month, in refitting ships, and obviating various objections which had been unexpectedly made to the embarkation of the troops and stores from Elba, on the 29th of January 1797, the whole being embarked in twelve sail of transports, La Minerve, with the Romulus, Southampton, Dido, Dolphin, Dromedary, and Sardine, sailed from Porto Ferrajio.

Sir Gilbert Elliot, the late Viceroy of Corsica, since Lord Minto; with the ingenious Colonel Drinkwater, Secretary at War for that island; and the rest of the establishment; took their passage in La Minerve, with Commodore Nelson: who, on his way to Gibraltar, looked into the ports of the respective enemies, that he might be enabled to ascertain, and report to the commander in chief, the apparent state of the combined fleet.

On the 30th, he parted from the convoy, accompanied by the Romulus; and, on the 1st of February, looked into Toulon harbour. They took, on the 5th, a small Spanish felucca; and, on the 6th, another. On the 9th, looked into the harbour of Carthagena; and, on the 10th, safely moored in Rosier Bay, Gibraltar: a few days after the Spanish fleet from Carthagena had been seen to pass through the Straits.

The next day, Commodore Nelson had the pleasure to receive on board Lieutenants Culverhouse and Hardy, with all the seamen belonging to La Minerve, who had been liberated, by the Spaniards, and returned to Gibraltar, in consequence of his judicious applications.

Anxious to join Sir John Jervis, that he might partake in the glory of an expected engagement between the two fleets, on Saturday, the 11th, at half past two in the afternoon, La Minerve weighed, and made sail; when, on proceeding westward to the appointed place of rendezvous, two Spanish ships of the line, cut or slipped from Algesiras, and gave chase. La Minerve, however, making all possible sail, left them fast; and, in the evening, was within four leagues of Cape Spartel.

In the morning of the 12th, at half past three, the report of several guns was heard; which, there seemed little doubt, proceeded from the Spanish fleet. The commodore, therefore, bore up to the northward.

Next morning, the 13th, he saw two strange sail bearing north north-west, after which he made sail; and, at half past three, heard several guns fired in that quarter, which was evidently the situation of the Spanish fleet. At half past eight, Commodore Nelson saw the English fleet; and made the private signal, which was answered by the commander in chief.

On joining the fleet, Commodore Nelson communicated to Sir John Jervis what he had remarked respecting the situation of the Spanish fleet; and which, with other intelligence, induced the commander in chief to send off dispatches to England, expressive of his hopes soon to come up with the enemy; whom it was his determination to engage the first moment possible.

Commodore Nelson having been made acquainted, by Sir John Jervis, with the particulars of his plan for the intended order of battle, which had several days before been imparted to the other commanders of the respective ships, shifted his broad pendant, at half past six in the morning, from La Minerve to his former ship, the Captain, of seventy-four guns, Ralph Willet Miller, Esq. commander: shortly after which, the signal was thrown out, for every ship to prepare for action.

Though, on joining the British fleet, the Lively frigate, commanded by the Right Honourable Lord Viscount Garlies, was appointed to proceed with Sir Gilbert Elliot, and the gentlemen accompanying him, to England; there being reason to expect an approaching general engagement with the Spanish fleet, the Lively, at the joint solicitations of Sir Gilbert Elliot and Lord Garlies, who were desirous of waiting and observing the issue, was detained with the squadron, and acted as a repeating frigate during the action.

This circumstance enabled Colonel Drinkwater, who was on board the Lively, to view that interesting scene with a precision and leisure which could never have occurred to any person actually engaged in the conflict.

To the elegant pen of this gentleman, the world is indebted for one of the most accurate and masterly descriptions of a naval engagement which has ever been given; and his correct and elegant pencil has also illustrated his "Narrative of the Proceedings of the British Fleet, commanded by Admiral Sir John Jervis, K.B. on the 14th of February 1797," with engraved plans of the relative positions of the two fleets, at the various most momentous periods of the celebrated battle off Cape St. Vincent's.

From this ingenious pamphlet, now become exceedingly scarce, there will, perhaps, be no impropriety in extracting the chief particulars of this, at that time, unparalleled naval victory: particularly as, from the very extraordinary share which Commodore Nelson actually had in this glorious engagement, by disingenuously presenting a garbled account relative to him alone, it might seem rather to appear as his battle, than that of Sir John Jervis, the illustrious commander in chief; who derives, so deservedly, from that splendid victory, his title of Earl of St. Vincent.

The weakness of over-zealous friends is often more prejudicial than the most violent efforts of professed enemies. No man ever less needed, or less desired, to strip a single leaf from the honoured wreath of any other hero, with the vain hope of augmenting his own, than the immortal Nelson; no man ever more merited the whole of that which a generous nation unanimously presented to Sir John Jervis, than the Earl of St. Vincent.

"Before I enter," says Colonel Drinkwater, "on the detail of the
proceedings of the important day which will certainly immortalize
the name of Jervis, and of his brave seconds, it will be proper to
state the relative force of the British and Spanish fleets.

"The British fleet--or, to use, I believe, a more correct term, the
British squadron--consisted of fifteen sail of the line, four
frigates, a sloop of war, and a cutter; the Spanish fleet, of
twenty-seven sail of the line, ten frigates, and a brig.

"Before sun-set, in the evening of the 13th, the signal had been
made for the British squadron to prepare for battle, and the ships
were also directed to keep in close order during the night.

"At day-break, on the 14th--St. Valentine's Day--the British fleet
was in complete order, formed in two divisions, standing on a wind
to the south south-west. The morning was hazy. About half past six,
the Culloden made the signal for five sail in the south-west by
south quarter; which was soon after confirmed by the Lively and
Niger frigates, and that the strange sail were by the wind on the
starboard tack. The Bonne Citoyenne sloop of war, Captain Lindsey,
was therefore directed to reconnoitre.

"At a quarter past eight o'clock, the squadron was ordered,
by-signal, to form in a close order; and, in a few minutes
afterwards, the signal was repeated to prepare for battle.

"About half past nine o'clock, the Culloden, Blenheim, and Prince
George, were ordered to chase in the south by west quarter; which,
upon the Bonne Citoyenne making a signal that she saw eight sail in
that quarter, was afterwards strengthened by the Irresistible,
Colossus, and Orion.

"A little past ten o'clock, the Minerve frigate made the signal for
twenty sail in the south-west quarter; and, a few minutes after, of
eight sail in the south by west. Half an hour afterwards, the Bonne
Citoyenne made the signal that she could distinguish sixteen--and,
immediately afterwards, twenty-five--of the strange ships, to be of
the line. The enemy's fleet were, indeed, now become visible to all
the British squadron.

"The ships first discovered by the Culloden were separated from
their main body; which, being to windward, were bearing down in
some confusion, with a view of joining their separated ships. It
appeared to have been the British admiral's intention, on
discovering the separated ships of the enemy's fleet, to have cut
them off, if possible, before the main body could arrive to their
assistance; and, with this view, the fast-sailing ships of his
squadron were ordered to chase.

"Assured, now, of the near position of their main body, he probably
judged it most advisable to form his fleet into the line of battle;
and the signal was made for their forming the line of battle ahead
and astern, as most convenient. A signal was made, directing the
squadron to steer south south-west.

"About twenty minutes past eleven o'clock, the admiral pointed out
that the Victory, his flag-ship, would take her station next to the
Colossus. Some variation in steering was afterwards directed, in
order to let the rear ships close up. At twenty-six minutes past
eleven o'clock, the admiral communicated his intention to pass
through the enemy's line, hoisting his large flag and ensign; and,
soon after, the signal was made to engage.

"The British van, by this time, had approached the enemy; and the
destination of leading the British line into action, fell to the
lot of the Culloden, commanded by Captain Troubridge. About half
past eleven o'clock, the firing commenced, from the Culloden,
against the enemy's headmost ships to windward.

"As the British squadron advanced, the action became more general;
and it was soon apparent, that the British admiral had accomplished
his design of passing through the enemy's line.

"The animated and regular fire of the British squadron was but
feebly returned by the enemy's ships to windward; which, being
frustrated in their attempts to join the separated ships, had been
obliged to haul their wind on the larboard tack. Those to leeward,
and which were most effectually cut off from their main body,
attempted also to form on their larboard tack; apparently, with a
determination of either passing through, or to leeward of, our
line, and joining their friends: but the warm reception they met
with, from the centre ships of our squadron, soon obliged them to
put about; and, excepting one, the whole sought safety in flight,
and did not again appear in the action till the close of the day.
This single ship, which persevered in passing to leeward of the
British line, was so covered with smoke, that her intention was not
discovered till she had reached the rear: when she was not
permitted to pass without notice, but received the fire of our
sternmost ships; and, as she luffed round the rear, the Lively, and
other frigates, had also the honour of exchanging, with this
two-decker, several broadsides.

"Sir John Jervis having effected his first purpose, now directed
his whole attention to the enemy's main body to windward;
consisting, at this time, of eighteen sail of the line. At eight
minutes past twelve, the signal was therefore made for the British
fleet to tack in succession; and, soon after, the signal for again
passing the enemy's line.

"The Spanish admiral's plan seemed to be, to join his ships to
leeward, by wearing round the rear of our line; and the ships which
had passed, and exchanged shot, with our squadron, had actually
borne up with this view.

"This design, however, was frustrated by the timely opposition of
Commodore Nelson; whose station in the rear of the British line
afforded him an opportunity of observing this manoeuvre, and of
frustrating the Spanish admiral's intention. His ship, the Captain,
had no sooner passed the rear of the enemy's ships that were to
windward, than he ordered her to wear, and stood on the other tack
towards the enemy.

"In executing this bold, and decisive manoeuvre, the commodore
reached the sixth ship from the enemy's rear, which was the Spanish
admiral's flag, the Santissima Trinidada, of one hundred and
thirty-six guns; a ship of four decks, and said to be the largest
in the world. Notwithstanding the inequality of force, the
commodore instantly engaged this colossal opponent; and, for a
considerable time, had to contend not only with her, but with her
seconds ahead and astern, of three decks each. While he maintained
this unequal combat, which was viewed with admiration, mixed with
anxiety, his friends were flying to his support: and the enemy's
attention was soon directed to the Culloden, Captain Troubridge;
and, in a short time after, to the Blenheim, of ninety guns,
Captain Frederick; who, very opportunely, came to his assistance.

"The intrepid conduct of the commodore staggered the Spanish
admiral, who already appeared to waver in pursuing his intention of
joining the ships cut off by the British fleet; when the Culloden's
arrival, and Captain Troubridge's spirited support of the Captain,
together with the approach of the Blenheim, followed by
Rear-Admiral Parker, with the Prince George, Orion, Irresistible,
and Diadem, not far distant, determined the Spanish admiral to
change his design altogether, and to make the signal for the ships
of his main body to haul their wind, and make sail on the larboard
tack.

"Advantage was now apparent, in favour of the British squadron, and
not a moment was lost in improving it. As the ships of Rear-Admiral
Parker's division approached the enemy's ships, in support of the
Captain, and her gallant seconds, the Blenheim and Culloden, the
cannonade became more animated and impressive. The superiority of
the British fire over that of the enemy, and it's effects on the
enemy's hulls and sails, were so evident, that there was no longer
any hesitation in pronouncing a glorious termination of the
contest.

"The British squadron, at this time, was formed in two divisions,
both on the larboard tack: Rear-Admiral Parker, with the Blenheim,
Culloden, Prince George, Captain, Orion, and Irresistible, composed
one division, which was engaged with the enemy's rear; Sir John
Jervis, with the other division, consisting of the Excellent,
Victory, Barfleur, Namur, Egmont, Goliah, and Britannia, was
pressing forward in support of his advanced squadron, but had not
yet approached the real scene of action.

"While the British advanced division warmly pressed the enemy's
centre and rear, the admiral meditated, with his division, a
co-operation which must effectually compel some of them to
surrender.

"In the confusion of their retreat, several of the enemy's ships
had doubled on each other; and, in the rear, they were three or
four deep. It was, therefore, the British admiral's design to reach
the weathermost of these ships; and, then, to bear up, and rake
them all, in succession, with the seven ships composing his
division. His object, afterwards, was to pass on to the support of
his van division; which, from the length of time they had been
engaged, he judged might be in want of it. The casual position,
however, of the rear ships of his van division prevented his
executing this plan. The admiral, therefore, ordered the Excellent,
the leading ship of his own division, to bear up; and, with the
Victory, he himself passed to leeward of the enemy's rearmost and
leewardmost ships; which, though almost silenced in their fire,
continued obstinately to resist the animated attack of all their
opponents.

"Captain Collingwood, in the Excellent, in obedience to the
admiral's orders, passed between the two rearmost ships of the
enemy's line; giving to the one most to windward, a seventy-four,
so effectual a broadside, in addition to what had been done before,
that her captain was induced to submit. The Excellent, afterwards,
bore down on the ship to leeward, a three-decker: but, observing
the Orion engaged with her, and the Victory approaching her, he
threw into her only a few discharges of musketry, and passed on to
the support of the Captain, at that time warmly engaged with a
three-decker, carrying a flag. His interference here was
opportune, as the continual and long fire of the Captain had almost
expended the ammunition she had at hand, and the loss of her
fore-topmast, and other injuries she had received in her rigging,
had rendered her nearly ungovernable.

"The Spanish three-decker had lost her mizen-mast; and, before the
Excellent arrived in her proper station to open on this ship, the
three-decker dropped astern aboard of, and became entangled with, a
Spanish two-decker, that was her second. Thus doubled on each
other, the Excellent gave the two ships her fire; and then moved
forwards to assist the headmost ships in their attack on the
Spanish admiral, and the other ships of the enemy's centre.

"Meanwhile, Sir John Jervis, disappointed in his plan of raking the
enemy's rear ships, and having directed, as before observed, the
Excellent to bear up, ordered the Victory to be placed on the
lee-quarter of the rearmost ship of the enemy, a three-decker; and
having, by signal, ordered the Irresistible and Diadem to suspend
their firing, threw into the three-decker so powerful a discharge,
that her commander, seeing the Barfleur, carrying Vice-Admiral the
Honourable William Waldegrave's flag, ready to second the Victory,
thought proper to strike to the British commander in chief. Two of
the enemy's ships had now surrendered; and the Lively frigate, and
Diadem, had orders to secure the prizes. The next that fell, were
the two with which Commodore Nelson was engaged.

"While Captain Collingwood so nobly stepped in to his assistance,
as already mentioned. Captain Ralph Willet Miller, the commodore's
captain, was enabled to replenish his lockers with shot, and
prepare for a renewal of the fight. No sooner, therefore, had the
Excellent passed on, than the gallant commodore renewed the battle.

"The three-decker with which he was before engaged having fallen
aboard her second, that ship, of eighty-four guns, became now the
commodore's opponent. To her, therefore, he directed a vigorous
fire; nor was it feebly returned, as the loss on board the Captain
evinced, nearly twenty men being killed and wounded in a very few
minutes. It was now that the various damages already sustained by
that ship, through the long and arduous conflict which she had
maintained, appearing to render a continuance of the contest in the
usual way precarious, or perhaps impossible, that Commodore Nelson,
unable to bear the idea of parting with an enemy of whom he had so
thoroughly assured himself, instantly resolved on a bold and
decisive measure; and determined, whatever might be the event, to
attempt his opponent sword in hand. The boarders were accordingly
summoned, and orders given to lay his ship, the Captain, on board
the enemy.

"Fortune favours the brave! nor, on this occasion, was she
unmindful of her favourite. Captain Miller so judiciously directed
the course of the Captain, that she was laid aboard the starboard
quarter of the Spanish eighty-four; her spritsail-yard passing over
the enemy's poop, and hooking in her mizen shrouds: and, the word
to board being given, the officers and seamen, destined for this
duty, headed by Lieutenant Berry, together with the detachment of
the sixty-ninth regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Pearson, then
doing duty as marines on board the Captain, passed with rapidity on
board the enemy's ship; and, in a short time, the San Nicolas was
in the possession of her intrepid assailants. The commodore's
impatience would not permit him to remain an inactive spectator of
this event. He knew, that the attempt was hazardous; and his
presence, he thought, might contribute to it's success. He,
therefore, accompanied the party in this attack: passing, from the
fore-chains of his own ship, into the enemy's quarter gallery; and,
thence, through the cabin, to the quarter-deck, where he arrived in
time to receive the sword of the dying commander, who was mortally
wounded by the boarders. For a few minutes after the officers had
submitted, the crew below were firing their lower-deck guns: this
irregularity, however, was soon corrected, and measures taken for
the security of the conquest. But this labour was no sooner
atchieved, than he found himself engaged in another, still more
arduous. The stern of the three-decker, his former opponent, was
directly amidships on the weather-beam of the San Nicolas; and,
from her poop and galleries, the enemy sorely annoyed, with
musketry, the British who had boarded the San Nicolas. The
commodore was not long in resolving on the conduct to be adopted on
this momentous occasion. The two alternatives that presented
themselves to his unshaken mind, were to quit the prize, or
instantly board the three-decker. Confident of the bravery of his
seamen, he determined on the latter. Directing, therefore, an
additional number of men to be sent from the Captain on board the
San Nicolas, the undaunted Commodore headed, himself, the
assailants in this new attack; vehemently exclaiming--"Westminster
Abbey! or, glorious victory!"

"Success, in a few minutes, and with little loss, crowned the
enterprise. Such, indeed, was the panic occasioned by his preceding
conduct, that the British no sooner appeared on the quarter-deck of
their new opponent, than the commandant advanced; and, asking for
the British commanding officer, dropped on one knee, and presented
to him his sword; mentioning, at the same time, as an excuse for
the Spanish admiral's not appearing, that he was dangerously
wounded. For a moment, Commodore Nelson could scarcely persuade
himself of this second instance of good fortune: he, therefore,
ordered the Spanish commandant, who had the rank of a brigadier, to
assemble the officers on the quarter-deck, and direct steps to be
instantly taken for communicating to the crew the surrender of the
ship. All the officers immediately appeared; and the commodore had
the surrender of the San Josef duly confirmed, by each of them
delivering to him his sword.

"William Fearney, one of the commodore's bargemen, had attended
close by his side throughout this perilous adventure. To him the
commodore gave in charge the swords of the Spanish officers, as he
received them; and the jolly tar, as they were delivered to him,
tucked these honourable trophies under his arm, with all the
_sang-froid_ imaginable. It was at this moment, also, that a
British sailor, who had long fought under the commodore, came up,
in the fullness of his heart; and, excusing the liberty he was
taking, asked to shake him by the hand, to congratulate him on
seeing him safe on the quarter-deck of a Spanish three decker.

"This new conquest had scarcely submitted, and the commodore
returned on board the San Nicolas, when the latter ship was
discovered to be on fire in two places. At the first moment,
appearances were alarming; but presence of mind, and resources,
were not wanting to the British officers in this emergency. The
firemen were immediately ordered from the Captain; and, proper
means being taken, the fires were soon got under.

"A signal was now made, by the Captain, for boats to assist in
separating her from her two prizes: and, as the Captain was
incapable of farther service till refitted, Commodore Nelson
hoisted his broad pendant, for the moment, on board La Minerve
frigate; and, in the evening, shifted it to the Irresistible of
seventy-four guns, Captain Martin.

"Four of the enemy's ships were now in possession of the British
squadron--two of three decks, the Salvador del Mondo, and the San
Josef, of a hundred and twelve guns each; one of eighty-four, the
San Nicolas; and the San Ysidro, of seventy-four guns--and the van
of the British line still continued to press hard the Santissima
Trinidada, and others, in the rear of the enemy's flying fleet.

"The close of the day, before the four prizes were secured,
undoubtedly saved the Spanish admiral's flag from falling into the
hands of the victors. The Santissima Trinidada, in which he carried
it, had been so much the object of attention, that the ship was a
perfect wreck when the action ceased. Many, indeed, aver that she
actually struck both her flag and ensign; hoisting a white flag, as
a signal of submission: but, as she continued her course, and
afterwards hoisted a Spanish jack, others doubt this circumstance.
It is, however, an indisputable truth, that her fire had been
silent for some time before this event is reported to have
occurred. It was a defensive combat, entirely, on their parts,
after Commodore Nelson obliged them to haul their wind on the
larboard tack.

"The loss of the enemy, in this engagement, must have been very
considerable. The fire of the British squadron was, throughout the
action, superior, in the proportion of five or six to one; and, if
we were to judge from the number of killed and wounded found on
board the prizes, their casualties, must greatly exceed the numbers
that have been usually computed. Almost all their wounded, that had
lost limbs, died for want of assistance; and many others, who were
wounded in other parts, were found dead in the holds.

"The loss of the British squadron, in killed and wounded, amounted
to exactly three hundred: moderate, indeed, when compared with that
of the enemy, and considering the duration of the action! But the
expenditure of ammunition was beyond any recent example. The
Culloden, it is said, expended one hundred and seventy barrels of
powder; the Captain, one hundred and forty-six; and the Blenheim,
one hundred and eighty: other ships expended in similar
proportions. It is by no means unworthy of remark, however, that
not a single British gun burst.

"The Captain fired more shot than are usually given to a ship of
her rate, at her first equipment in England: and it was observed
that, when shot or grape were wanting, on board this ship, for the
carronades, the tars substituted, in their place, nine-pounds shot,
seven of which were frequently discharged at one time; and this at
so short a distance, that every shot of the seven must have had
effect.

"I could wish to convey, in some adequate manner, the merits of the
chief personages in this glorious engagement; but the praise of
those who were most conspicuous will, after all, be best collected
from this faithful narrative of their actions: to express it, is
far above the power of my pen. I confess, the admiration with which
I viewed their conduct, would not permit me to be silent; or to
suppress the strong feelings excited in my mind, by all the glories
of that memorable day--if it were not for a real despair of
reaching the extraordinary merits of some, and for a sincere
apprehension of doing injustice even to those whom I might name, as
well as to those whom I might, from ignorance, omit. Certain it is,
that while the admiral, and some distinguished actors in this
scene, are covered with never-fading laurels--if others of the
squadron had not the same important share in the transactions of
the day, it was owing to circumstances not dependent on themselves,
and to no want of ardour or personal exertion.

"If I may be permitted to hazard an opinion, the whole squadron
have gained immortal honour; for the victory of the 14th of
February stands, in all it's circumstances, first and unparalleled
in naval history.

"The time mentioned in the narrative is taken from the minutes kept
on board the Victory. Some difference occurs between them and
those kept on board other ships; but I have thought proper to
follow the former, conceiving them to be the most correct."

Such is the account of this glorious victory, as described by Colonel Drinkwater; who not only had the best possible view of the transactions in general, but was favoured with many particulars from some of the most intelligent officers who commanded or served on board the respective ships.

The official letter of the commander in chief, as addressed, on this occasion, by Sir John Jervis, to Evan Nepean, Esq. Secretary of the Admiralty, and published in the London Gazette, it has been frequently observed, was remarkable for not containing a single syllable of individual praise. This circumstance has been differently accounted for, by different persons, as they have been swayed by their prejudices, their partialities, or their imaginations; few, however, appear to have been very solicitous about the truth. Indeed, there are no inconsiderable number of writers, and of readers too, who would be rather mortified than pleased to discover any positive verity which might overthrow, or even oppose, their own preconceived notions, however unjust or erroneous.

That the omission to mention names was the result of design, and not of accident, in the public letter of the commander in chief, is certainly true; and the Earl of St. Vincent need never blush at avowing the motive by which he was laudably actuated to avoid mentioning the names of individuals. He had seen an instance of the fatal consequences of such selections, in the then recent example of Lord Howe; who, with the best intentions, had thus unfortunately excited the most cruel pangs in the bosoms of many brave commanders. He resolved, therefore, with the most humane and benevolent view, to speak only, to the public, in terms of general approbation.

Having had occasion to say so much respecting this public letter, it's omission might, by the malignant, be construed into a wish to prevent it's being sufficiently investigated. Truth, however, is always a gainer by minute enquiry: notwithstanding, therefore, the repetition which this letter necessarily contains of what has been already seen by the reader in Colonel Drinkwater's Narrative, it is here subjoined--

"Victory,
off Lagos Bay,
February 16, 1797.

"SIR,

"The hopes of falling in with the Spanish fleet, expressed in my
letter to you of the 13th instant, were confirmed, that night, by
our distinctly hearing the report of their signal-guns, and by
intelligence received from Captain Foote, of his majesty's ship
Niger, who had, with equal judgment and perseverance, kept company
with them for several days, on my prescribed rendezvous; which,
from the strong south-east winds, I had never been able to reach:
and, that they were not more than three or four leagues from us. I
anxiously waited the dawn of day; when, being on the starboard
tack, Cape St. Vincent bearing east by north seven leagues, I had
the satisfaction of seeing a number of ships, extending from
south-west to south, the wind then at west by south. At forty
minutes past ten, the weather being extremely hazy, La Bonne
Citoyenne made the signal that the ships were of the line,
twenty-five in number: his majesty's squadron, consisting of the
fifteen ships of the line named in the margin, were happily formed,
in the most complete order of sailing, in two lines. By carrying a
press of sail, I was fortunate in getting in with the enemy's fleet
at half past eleven o'clock, before it had time to connect and form
a regular order of battle. Such a moment was not to be lost: and,
confident in the skill, valour, and discipline, of the officers and
men I had the happiness to command, and judging that the honour of
his majesty's arms, and the circumstances of the war in these seas,
required a considerable degree of enterprize, I felt myself
justified in departing from the regular system; and, passing
through their fleet, in a line formed with the utmost celerity,
tacked, and thereby separated one-third from the main body. After a
partial cannonade, which prevented their rejunction till the
evening, and by the very great exertions of the ships which had the
good fortune to arrive up with the enemy on the larboard tack, the
ships named in the margin were captured, and the action ceased
about five o'clock in the evening. I inclose the most correct list
I have been able to obtain of the Spanish fleet opposed to me,
amounting to twenty-seven sail of the line; and an account of the
killed and wounded in his majesty's ships, as well as in those
taken from the enemy. The moment the latter, almost totally
dismasted, and his majesty's ships the Captain and Culloden, are in
a state to put to sea, I shall avail myself of the first favourable
winds to proceed off Cape St. Vincent, in my way to Lisbon. Captain
Calder, whose able assistance has greatly contributed to the public
service during my command, is the bearer of this; and will more
particularly describe, to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,
the movements of the squadron on the 14th, and the present state of
it. I am, &c.

"J. Jervis."

"Evan Nepean, Esq."

This is, certainly, a very fair hasty sketch of the business; in which, though the names of particular commanders are not mentioned, for the reasons already stated, they are, perhaps, more than sufficiently hinted, to an eye of any discernment, by those of the ships described as having suffered most severely in the action.

Nor is this all. Sir John Jervis, in his private letter, of the same date, addressed to Lord Spencer, then First Lord of the Admiralty, as a guide for merited promotion, was by no means backward in naming those commanders who had been enabled most to distinguish themselves.

Of this important letter, which cannot fail to demonstrate that he did ample justice to individual gallantry and exertion, the author has been kindly honoured with an extract; which is now, for the first time, presented to the public, with the consent of the Earl of St. Vincent.

"The correct conduct of every officer and man in the squadron, on
the 14th instant, made it improper to distinguish one more than
another, in my public letter; because I am confident that, had
those who were least in action been in the situation of the
fortunate few, their behaviour would not have been less
meritorious: yet, to your lordship, it becomes me to state, that
Captain Troubridge, in the Culloden, led the squadron through the
enemy in a masterly stile, and tacked the instant the signal flew;
and was gallantly supported by the Blenheim, Prince George, Orion,
Irresistible, and Colossus. The latter had her fore and
fore-topsail yards wounded, and they unfortunately broke in the
slings in stays; which threw her out, and impeded the tacking of
the Victory.

"Commodore Nelson, who was in the rear on the starboard tack, took
the lead on the larboard, and contributed very much to the fortune
of the day; as did Captain Collingwood: and, in the close, the San
Josef and San Nicolas having fallen foul of each other, the Captain
laid them on board; and Captain Berry, who served as a volunteer,
entered at the head of the boarders, and Commodore Nelson followed
immediately, and took possession of them both. The crippled state
of these ships, and the Captain, entangled as they were, and that
part of the enemy's fleet which had been kept off in the
morning--as described in the public letter--joining at the instant,
it became necessary to collect the squadron, to resist an attempt
to wrest these ships, the Salvador del Mundo, and San Ysidro, from
us, which occasioned the discontinuance of the action."

It is evident from this letter, and it's consequences, that the merits of Commodore Nelson were now duly appreciated. The handsome acknowledgment, by the commander in chief, that he had contributed much to the fortune of the day, was a very sufficient hint that he ought to participate in the honours and advantages which it might be expected to produce. Sir John Jervis, accordingly, became the Earl of St. Vincent; and Commodore Nelson, Sir Horatio Nelson, K.B.

In the mean time, so enraptured was Sir John Jervis, with the skill and bravery which he had witnessed in the gallant commodore, that he literally clasped him in his arms, when he came on board the Victory, after the action--dirtied and disfigured as he was, with great part of his hat shot away--and pressed to his own valiant bosom one of the most heroic hearts that ever inhabited a human breast.

This undoubted fact is given on no less authority than that of Thomas Bolton, Esq. who received it from the honourable lips of his immortal brother-in-law.

A week after the action, on his way to Lisbon, the commodore wrote a letter to Captain Locker, dated on board the Irresistible, Lagos Bay, February 21, 1797; in which, observing that he had been too unwell to write by the Lively frigate, which carried the news of victory to England, he mentions that, as he knows how anxious his friend would be for his welfare, both in health and reputation, he sends him a short detail of the transactions of the Captain: adding that, if he approved of it, he was at perfect liberty to insert it in the newspapers; inserting the name of "Commodore," instead of "I." He mentions, that Captain Miller and Berry, &c. authenticated the truth, till he quitted the San Josef, to go on board La Minerve; and that, farther than this, the detail should not be printed. As he does not write for the press, he modestly intimates, there may be parts which require the pruning-knife, which he desires him to use at discretion, without fear. "I pretend not to say," concludes he, "that these ships might not have fallen, had I not boarded them: but, truly, it was far from impossible that they might have forged into the Spanish fleet, as the other two ships did."

Though the account inclosed in the above letter is in a considerable degree anticipated by the more copious and general narrative of Colonel Drinkwater, and in some measure by the letters of the commander in chief, the circumstance of it's having been written by the heroic commodore himself will be a better apology for inserting it, than any that could be offered by his biographer for it's omission.

_A few Remarks relative to the Proceedings of his Majesty's Ship
Captain, on board of which Ship Commodore Nelson's Pendant was
flying on the 14th of February 1797._

WRITTEN BY THE COMMODORE.

"At one P.M. the Captain having passed the sternmost of the enemy's
ships, which formed their van, and part of their centre, consisting
of seventeen sail of the line, they on the starboard, we on the
larboard tack, the admiral made the signal to tack in succession;
but, perceiving all the Spanish ships to bear up before the wind,
evidently with an intention of forcing their line, going large, and
joining their separated divisions, at that time engaged with some
of our centre ships, or flying from us--to prevent either of their
schemes from taking place, I ordered the ship to be wore; and,
passing between the Diadem and Excellent, at a quarter past one
o'clock, was engaged with the headmost, and of course leewardmost,
of the Spanish division. The ships, which I knew, were the
Santissima Trinidada of one hundred and thirty-six guns, San Josef
of one hundred and twelve, Salvador del Mundo of one hundred and
twelve, San Nicolas of eighty; there was another first-rate, and a
seventy-four, names unknown.