nt, 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