“About twenty minutes past eleven o’clock, the admiral pointed out that the Victory, his flag-ship, would take her station next to the Colossus.  Some variation in steering was afterwards directed, in order to let the rear ships close up.  At twenty-six minutes past eleven o’clock, the admiral communicated his intention to pass through the enemy’s line, hoisting his large flag and ensign; and, soon after, the signal was made to engage.

“The British van, by this time, had approached the enemy; and the destination of leading the British line into action, fell to the lot of the Culloden, commanded by Captain Troubridge.  About half past eleven o’clock, the firing commenced, from the Culloden, against the enemy’s headmost ships to windward.

     “As the British squadron advanced, the action became more general;
     and it was soon apparent, that the British admiral had accomplished
     his design of passing through the enemy’s line.

“The animated and regular fire of the British squadron was but feebly returned by the enemy’s ships to windward; which, being frustrated in their attempts to join the separated ships, had been obliged to haul their wind on the larboard tack.  Those to leeward, and which were most effectually cut off from their main body, attempted also to form on their larboard tack; apparently, with a determination of either passing through, or to leeward of, our line, and joining their friends:  but the warm reception they met with, from the centre ships of our squadron, soon obliged them to put about; and, excepting one, the whole sought safety in flight, and did not again appear in the action till the close of the day.  This single ship, which persevered in passing to leeward of the British line, was so covered with smoke, that her intention was not discovered till she had reached the rear:  when she was not permitted to pass without notice, but received the fire of our sternmost ships; and, as she luffed round the rear, the Lively, and other frigates, had also the honour of exchanging, with this two-decker, several broadsides.

“Sir John Jervis having effected his first purpose, now directed his whole attention to the enemy’s main body to windward; consisting, at this time, of eighteen sail of the line.  At eight minutes past twelve, the signal was therefore made for the British fleet to tack in succession; and, soon after, the signal for again passing the enemy’s line.

“The Spanish admiral’s plan seemed to be, to join his ships to leeward, by wearing round the rear of our line; and the ships which had passed, and exchanged shot, with our squadron, had actually borne up with this view.

“This design, however, was frustrated by the timely opposition of Commodore Nelson; whose station in the rear of the British line afforded