incapable of farther service till refitted, Commodore Nelson hoisted his broad pendant, for the moment, on board La Minerve frigate; and, in the evening, shifted it to the Irresistible of seventy-four guns, Captain Martin.

“Four of the enemy’s ships were now in possession of the British squadron—­two of three decks, the Salvador del Mondo, and the San Josef, of a hundred and twelve guns each; one of eighty-four, the San Nicolas; and the San Ysidro, of seventy-four guns—­and the van of the British line still continued to press hard the Santissima Trinidada, and others, in the rear of the enemy’s flying fleet.

“The close of the day, before the four prizes were secured, undoubtedly saved the Spanish admiral’s flag from falling into the hands of the victors.  The Santissima Trinidada, in which he carried it, had been so much the object of attention, that the ship was a perfect wreck when the action ceased.  Many, indeed, aver that she actually struck both her flag and ensign; hoisting a white flag, as a signal of submission:  but, as she continued her course, and afterwards hoisted a Spanish jack, others doubt this circumstance.  It is, however, an indisputable truth, that her fire had been silent for some time before this event is reported to have occurred.  It was a defensive combat, entirely, on their parts, after Commodore Nelson obliged them to haul their wind on the larboard tack.

“The loss of the enemy, in this engagement, must have been very considerable.  The fire of the British squadron was, throughout the action, superior, in the proportion of five or six to one; and, if we were to judge from the number of killed and wounded found on board the prizes, their casualties, must greatly exceed the numbers that have been usually computed.  Almost all their wounded, that had lost limbs, died for want of assistance; and many others, who were wounded in other parts, were found dead in the holds.

“The loss of the British squadron, in killed and wounded, amounted to exactly three hundred:  moderate, indeed, when compared with that of the enemy, and considering the duration of the action!  But the expenditure of ammunition was beyond any recent example.  The Culloden, it is said, expended one hundred and seventy barrels of powder; the Captain, one hundred and forty-six; and the Blenheim, one hundred and eighty:  other ships expended in similar proportions.  It is by no means unworthy of remark, however, that not a single British gun burst.

“The Captain fired more shot than are usually given to a ship of her rate, at her first equipment in England:  and it was observed that, when shot or grape were wanting, on board this ship, for the carronades, the tars substituted, in their place, nine-pounds shot, seven of which were frequently discharged at one time; and this at so short a distance, that every shot of the seven must have had effect.