ships we are unable to state. Indeed, all the Spanish ships were huddled together in a very irregular manner, in some cases three or four deep, and must have suffered greatly, as their disabled appearance soon testified, not only from the fire of their opponents, but from the fire of each other.

At about 1 h. 30 m. the Captain opened her fire upon the Santisima-Trinidad and the ships near her ; with the rearmost of which the Culloden, about ten minutes before, had recommenced firing. Frustrated thus by the spirited conduct of the Captain and Culloden, and seeing the near approach of the Blenheim, Prince-George, and other ships, the Spanish admiral gave up the design of running to leeward of the British fleet, and, making the signal to that effect, hauled up on the larboard tack.

At about 2 p.m. the Culloden had stretched so far ahead, as to cover the Captain from the heavy fire poured upon her by the Spanish four-decker and her companion, as they hauled up and brought their broadsides to bear. Of the respite thus afforded to her, the Captain took immediate advantage ; replenishing her lockers with shot, and splicing and repairing her running rigging. Shortly afterwards the Blenheim, passing also to windward of the Captain, afforded her a second respite, which was taken advantage of as before. The two more immediate opponents of the Captain and Culloden had been the San-Ysidro and Salvador-del-Mundo : these, having already lost some of their topmasts, and being otherwise in a crippled state, the Blenheim, by a few of her heavy broadsides, sent staggering astern, to be cannonaded afresh by the Prince-George, Orion, and other advancing ships.

The Victory, soon after her heavy fire upon the Spanish three-decker whom she had caught so opportunely in stays under her lee, put about on the larboard tack, and, followed by the Barfleur, Namur, Egmont, and Goliath (the two latter partially disabled and dropping astern), pointed to windward of the Spanish fleet. At 1 h. 5 m. p.m. Sir John directed the Minerve, by signal, to take the disabled Colossus in tow; and at 1 h. 19 m. p.m., arriving abreast of the Excellent, who was in the rear of, what may now be called, the lee division of the British fleet, the Victory made the signal (No. 85), to come to the wind on the larboard tack.

In immediate compliance with this signal, the Excellent hauled sharp up, and at 2 h. 15 m., having reached a station ahead of the weather division, was ordered by the Victory, to pass through the enemy's line. Such was the expression of the signal (No. 40), but line there was none. The Spanish fleet, indeed, from its increased disorder, now evinced, more clearly than ever, that sauve qui peut was the only directing principle.

At 2 h. 26 m. the Excellent, having been directed by signal (No. 91) to bear up, edged away, and at 2 h. 35 m., arriving

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