“The intrepid conduct of the Commodore staggered the Spanish admiral, who already appeared to waver in pursuing his intention of joining the ships cut off by the British fleet; when the _Culloden’s_ arrival, and Captain Troubridge’s spirited support of the _Captain_, together with the approach of the _Blenheim_, followed by Rear-Admiral Parker, with the _Prince George_, _Orion_, _Irresistible_, and _Diadem_, not far distant, determined the Spanish admiral to change his design altogether, and to make the signal for the ships of his main body to haul their wind, and make sail on the larboard tack. “Advantage was now apparent, in favour of the British squadron, and not a moment was lost in improving it. As the ships of Rear-Admiral Parker’s division approached the enemy’s ships, in support of the _Captain_, and her gallant seconds, the _Blenheim_ and _Culloden_, the cannonade became more animated and impressive. The superiority of the British fire over that of the enemy, and its effects on the enemy’s hulls and sails, were so evident that there was no longer any hesitation in pronouncing a glorious termination of the contest. “The British squadron at this time was formed in two divisions, both on the larboard tack[18]: Rear-Admiral Parker, with the _Blenheim_, _Culloden_, _Prince George_, _Captain_, _Orion_, and _Irresistible_, composed one division, which was engaged with the enemy’s rear; Sir John Jervis, with the other division, consisting of the _Excellent_, _Victory_, _Barfleur_, _Namur_, _Egmont_, _Goliath_, and _Britannia_, was pressing forward in support of his advanced squadron, but had not yet approached the real scene of action. “While the British advanced squadron warmly pressed the enemy’s centre and rear, the Admiral meditated, with his division, a co-operation which must effectually compel some of them to surrender. “In the confusion of their retreat, several of the enemy’s ships had doubled on each other; and, in the rear, they were three or four deep. It was, therefore, the British admiral’s design to reach the weather-most of these ships; and, then, to bear up, and rake them all in succession, with the seven ships composing his division. His object, afterwards, was to pass on to the support of his van division; which, from the length of time they had been engaged, he judged might be in want of it. The casual position, however, of the rear ships of his van division, prevented his executing this plan. The admiral, therefore, ordered the _Excellent_, the leading ship of his own division, to bear up; and, with the _Victory_, he himself passed to leeward of the enemy’s rearmost and leewardmost ships; which, though almost silenced in their fire, continued obstinately to resist the animated attack of all their opponents.