Richard Barnett Spencer, (British, active 1840-1874)

The Battle of Cape St Vincent, 14th February 1797 bears inscription on partial label affixed to stretcher verso

The Battle of Cape St Vincent, 14th February 1797
oil on canvas
86.3 x 137.2cm (34 x 54in).
bears inscription on partial label affixed to stretcher verso

The Battle of Cape St. Vincent, fought on 14th February 1797, was a much-needed British victory at a time when the war with Revolutionary France and her allies was not going well. At the end of 1796, French and Spanish ships were ordered to Brest to support an invasion of Ireland. The French, based at Toulon, slipped through the Straits of Gibraltar successfully but Admiral Sir John Jervis, cruising off Cape St. Vincent with 15 ships-of-the line including HMS Victory, was determined to intercept the Spaniards and stop the two enemy fleets from joining up. On 13th February 1797 Jervis was joined by Commodore Nelson's squadron from Gibraltar, and together they engaged the Spanish fleet the following day. By late afternoon, Jervis's victory over the much larger enemy fleet of 27 ships-of-the-line was assured thanks to the efficiency of his own Mediterranean Fleet and Nelson's brilliant daring at a critical moment during the battle.

It was here that Nelson displayed his grasp of strategy combined with fearless personal leadership for the first time. As the action got under way, he realised that – unseen by Jervis – the bulk of the Spanish fleet was making ready to flee the scene and escape. Without a moment's hesitation Nelson took his ship Captain out of the battle line and, closely followed by Collingwood in Excellent and Troubridge in Culloden, opened fire upon the leading Spanish ships. After a furious duel, Nelson laid Captain alongside the 80-gun San Nicolas and personally led his boarding party over the two ships' sides. Meanwhile, the larger Spanish 114-gun San Josef had collided with and become entangled with San Nicolas, whereupon Nelson, having first accepted the surrender of the San Nicolas, then led his men onto San Josef's decks and promptly took her as well. It was a masterstroke and, in the aftermath of victory, Nelson emerged from it with promotion, official recognition and a reputation which would ultimately become a legend.