In this way Gibraltar became a leading factor in the contest, and affected, directly or indirectly, the major operations throughout the world, by the amount of force absorbed in attacking and preserving it.  After the futile effort in the Channel, in 1779, Spain recalled her vessels from Brest.  “The project of a descent upon England was abandoned provisionally.  To blockade Gibraltar, to have in America and Asia force sufficient to hold the British in check, and to take the offensive in the West Indies,—­such,” wrote the French government to its ambassador in Madrid, “was the plan of campaign adopted for 1780.”  Immediately upon the declaration of war, intercourse between Gibraltar and the Spanish mainland was stopped.  Soon afterwards a blockade by sea was instituted; fifteen cruisers being stationed at the entrance of the Bay, where they seized and sent into Spanish ports all vessels, neutral or British, bound to the Rock.  This blockade was effectively supported from Cadiz, but a Spanish force of some ships of the line and many small vessels also maintained it more directly from Algeciras, on the Spanish side of the Bay of Gibraltar.  The British Mediterranean squadron, then consisting only of one 60-gun ship, three frigates, and a sloop, was wholly unable to afford relief.  At the close of the year 1779, flour in Gibraltar was fourteen guineas the barrel, and other provisions in proportion.  It became therefore imminently necessary to throw in supplies of all kinds, as well as to reinforce the garrison.  To this service Rodney was assigned; and with it he began the brilliant career, the chief scene of which was to be in the West Indies.

Rodney was appointed to command the Leeward Islands Station on the 1st of October, 1779.  He was to be accompanied there immediately by only four or five ships of the line; but advantage was taken of his sailing, to place under the charge of an officer of his approved reputation a great force, composed of his small division and a large fraction of the Channel fleet, to convey supplies and reinforcements to Gibraltar and Minorca.  On the 29th of December the whole body, after many delays in getting down Channel, put to sea from Plymouth:  twenty-two ships of the line, fourteen frigates and smaller vessels, besides a huge collection of storeships, victuallers, ordnance vessels, troop-ships, and merchantmen,—­the last named being the “trade” for the West Indies and Portugal.

On the 7th of January, 1780, a hundred leagues west of Cape Finisterre, the West India ships parted for their destination, under convoy of a ship of the line and three frigates.  At daylight on the 8th, twenty-two sail were seen to the north-east, the squadron apparently having passed them in the night.  Chase was at once given, and the whole were taken in a few hours.  Seven were ships of war, one 64 and six frigates; the remainder merchant vessels, laden with naval stores and provisions for the Spanish fleet at Cadiz.