Nelson Battle of Cape St Vincent 1797 José de Córdoba Portugal Spanish British ship
Battle of Cape St Vincent (14 February 1797) a British fleet under John Jervis defeated a larger Spanish fleet under José de Córdoba near Cape St. Vincent, Portugal. Nelson remained on board the captured Spanish ships while they were made secure - and was cheered by the British ships as they passed. He returned to the Captain to thank Captain Miller and presented him with the sword of the captain of the San Nicolás At 5:00, Nelson shifted his pennant from the disabled Captain to Irresistible. The Battle of Cape St. Vincent had cost the lives of 73 men of the Royal Navy and wounded a further 227 (this figure only includes serious injury). Casualties amongst the Spanish ships were far higher - aboard San Nicolás alone 144 were killed. Then, still black with smoke and with his uniform in shreds, Nelson went on board Victory where he was received on the quarter-deck by Admiral Jervis - "the Admiral embraced me, said he could not sufficiently thank me, and used every kind expression which could not fail to make me happy." It was a great and welcome victory for the Royal Navy - 15 British ships had defeated a Spanish fleet of 27, and the Spanish ships had a greater number of guns and men. But, Admiral Jervis had trained a highly disciplined force and this was pitted against a Spanish navy under Don José Córdoba that was little more than a panic stricken mob. Of 600-900 men on board his ships, only some 60 to 80 were trained seamen, the others being soldiers or inexperienced landsmen. The Spanish men fought courageously but without direction. After the San José was captured it was found that some of her guns still had their tompions in the muzzles. The confusion amongst the Spanish fleet was so great that they were unable to use their guns without causing more damage to their own ships than to the British.
Size: 4666px × 3747px
Photo credit: © 19th era / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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