The Spanish prizes taken at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, 1797

The battle fought off Cape St. Vincent (southern Portugal) on 14th February 1797 was not only a notable victory for the British fleet under the command of Admiral Sir John Jervis, but also the first naval engagement to bring Horatio Nelson to public attention. His considerable daring, in throwing his ship H.M.S. Captain across the path of the leading Spanish men-o'war, came at a critical moment and enabled Jervis to close up and bring the full weight of his guns upon the enemy. It was a brilliant ploy by Nelson and resulted in a shattering defeat for Spain made worse by the capture, as prizes-of-war, of four of her best vessels, San Josef and Salvador del Mundo, both 112 guns, San Nicholas - 80 guns, and San Ysidro - 74 guns. For a fuller account of the battle, see notes accompanying lot 451.