Man retained his flag in her until October, when he shifted to the _Windsor Castle_, and was succeeded by Vice-Admiral Robert Linzee, who flew his flag in the "VICTORY" for a month only. During this period she was cruising with a fleet, watching Toulon, and going from port to port in that vicinity, until the 3rd of December, 1795, when being at San Fiorenzo in Corsica, Sir John Jervis, who had arrived from England a few days before, hoisted his flag in her as Commander-in-Chief, and at once proceeded off Toulon. He remained cruising between that port and Minorca, with a fleet of about 13 sail, until the autumn of 1796, but up to this time no incidents took place that are worth recording. Spain had made a peace with France in 1794; and now in August 1796, an alliance, offensive and defensive, was concluded between the two powers. This put Sir John Jervis in a very critical position, as the united French and Spanish fleets amounted to 38 ships of the line, while Sir John, who was at Martello Bay, had but 15. It was determined accordingly, to evacuate Corsica, as the power of the French republic, and the deeds of their countryman, Buonaparte, were awaking feelings in the inhabitants that were not amicable to England. This was completed on the 2nd November, and Sir John and all his fleet sailed from Corsica, and escorted the transports to Gibraltar, which was reached on December 11th. On the 16th he went on to Lisbon to meet some expected reinforcements from home. Here he remained until the 18th January, when he sailed with 10 ships only; but on February 6th 5 more joined from England, when his force consisted of the following line-of-battle ships, with which he cruised, awaiting news of the enemy. { Admiral Sir John Jervis, K.B. 110 "VICTORY" { Captain Robert Calder. { Captain George Grey. 100 _Britannia_ { Vice-Admiral Charles Thompson. { Captain Thomas Foley. { _Barfleur_ { Vice-Admiral Hon. W. Waldegrave. { { Captain James R. Dacres. { 98 { _Prince George_ { Rear-Admiral William Parker. { { Captain John Irwin. { { _Blenheim_ Captain Thomas L. Frederick. 80 _Namur_ Captain James H. Whitshed. { _Captain_ { Commodore Horatio Nelson. { { Captain Ralph W. Miller. { { _Goliath_ Captain Sir Charles Knowles, Bart. 74 { _Excellent_ Captain Cuthbert Collingwood. { _Orion_ Captain Sir James Saumarez. { _Colossus_ Captain George Murray. { _Egmont_ Captain John Sutton. { _Culloden_ Captain Thomas Troubridge. { _Irresistible_ Captain George Martin. 64 _Diadem_ Captain George H. Towry.