g THE SEA. 



that, sir; if there are fifty Fll go through them/' "That's right, Sir John/' said Halliwell, 

 his flag-captain, "and a jolly good licking we'll give them." 



The grand fleet of Spain included six ships of 112 guns each, and the flag-ship Santissima 

 Trinidada, a four-decker, carrying 130. There were, besides, twenty-two vessels of eighty and 

 seventy-four guns. To this large force Jervis could only oppose fifteen vessels of the line, 

 only two of which carried 100 guns, three of ninety-eight guns, one of ninety, and the 

 remainder, with one exception, seventy-four each. Owing to gross mismanagement on the 

 part of the Spaniards, their vessels were scattered about in all directions, and six * of them were 

 separated wholly from the main body, neither could they rejoin it. The English vessels 

 advanced in two lines, compactly and steadily, and as they neared the Spaniards, were signalled 

 from the Victory to tack in succession. Nelson, on the Captain, was in the rear of the line, 

 and he perceived that the Spaniards were bearing up before the wind, either with the intention 

 of trying to join their separated ships, or perhaps to avoid an engagement altogether. By 

 disobeying the admiral's signal, he managed to run clear athwart the bows of the Spanish 

 ships, and was soon engaged with the great Santissima Trinidada, four other of the larger 

 vessels, and two smaller ones. Trowbridge, in the Culloden, immediately came to the support, 

 and for nearly an hour the unequal contest continued, till the Blenheim passed between them 

 and the enemy, and gave them a little respite, pouring in her fire upon the Spaniards. One of 

 the Spanish seventy-fours struck, and Nelson thought that the Salvador, of 112 guns, struck 

 also. " Collingwood," wrote Nelson, " disdaining the parade of taking possession of beaten 

 enemies, most gallantly pushed up, with every sail set, to save his old friend and messmate, who 

 was, to appearance, in a critical situation," for the Captain was being peppered by five vessels 

 of the enemy's fleet, and shortly afterwards was rendered absolutely incapable not a sail, 

 shroud, or rope left, with a topmast and the steering-wheel shot away. As Dr. Bennett 

 sings f 



"Ringed round by five three-deckers, she had fought through all the fight, 

 And now, a log upon the waves, she lay a glorious sight 

 All crippled, but still full of fight, for still her broadsides roared, 

 Still death and wounds, fear and defeat, into the Don she poured." 



Two of Nelson's antagonists were now nearly hors de combat, one of them, the San Nicolas, 

 in trying to escape from Collingwood's fire, having got foul of the San Josef. Nelson 

 resolved in an instant to board and capture both an unparalleled feat, which, however, 

 was accomplished, although 



" To get at the San Josef, it seemed beyond a hope ; 

 Out then our admiral spoke, and well his words our blood could stir 

 ' In, boarders, to their seventy-four ! We'll make a bridge of her.' " 



The " bridge " was soon taken ; but a steady fire of musketry was poured upon them from 

 the San Josef. Nelson directed his people to fire into the stern, and sending for more 

 boarders, led the way up the main-chains, exclaiming, " Westminster Abbey or victory ! J 

 In a few moments the officers and crew surrendered ; and on the quarter-deck of a Spanish 

 first-rate he received the swords of the vanquished, which he handed to William Fearney, 



* Southey, in hia " Life of Nelson," says nine. t " Songs for Sailors." 



