of Admiral Lord Nelſon.                      21

miral Villeneuve was in the Bucentaure in the cen-
tre, and the Prince of Auſturias bore Gravina's Flag,
in the rear; but the French and Spaniſh ſhips were
mixed without any apparent regard or order of na-
tional ſquadron.

As the mode of our attack had been previouſly
determined on, and communicated to the Flag-offi-
cers, and captains, few ſignals were neceſſary, and
none were made, except to direct cloſe order as the
lines bore down.

The Commander in Chief in the Victory led the
weather column, and the Royal Sovereign, which
bore my Flag, the lee.

The action began at twelve o'clock, by the lead-
ing ſhips of the columns breaking thro' the enemy's
line, the Commander in Chief about the tenth ſhip
from the Van, the ſecond in command about the
twelfth from the Rear, leaving the Van of the ene-
my unoccupied; the ſucceeding ſhips breaking thro'
in all parts, aſtern of their leaders, and engaging the
enemy at the muzzles of their guns; the conflict was
ſevere; the enemy's ſhips were fought with a gallan-
try highly honourable to their officers; but the at-
tack on them was irreſiſtable, and it pleaſed the Al-
mighty Diſpoſer of all events, to grant his Majeſty's
arms, a complete and glorious victory; about three
P. M. many of the enemy's ſhips having ſtruck their
colours, their line gave way; Admiral Gravina, with
ten ſhips, joining their frigates to leeward, ſtood to-
wards Cadiz. The five headmoſt ſhips in their Van
tacked, and ſtanding to the ſouthward, to windward
of the Britiſh Line, were engaged, and the ſternmoſt
of them taken ; the others went off, leaving to His
Majeſty's Squadron nineteen ſhips of the line, (of
which two are firſt rates, the Santiſſima Trinidada,
and the Santa Anna) with three flag-officers, viz.
Admiral Villeneuve, the Commander in Chief, Don
Ignatio Maria D Aliva, Vice-admiral, and the Spa-
                                                                  niſh