Jervis's Squadron

The Royal Navy’s Mediterranean fleet under Admiral Sir John Jervis, whose 15 ships of the line defeated a Spanish fleet of 27 at the Battle of Cape St Vincent on 14 February 1797. Jervis’s bold order to cut the larger Spanish line, and Commodore Nelson’s unauthorized turn out of the line of battle to take two enemy ships, won four prizes and broke the threat of a Franco-Spanish invasion fleet combining. Jervis was made Earl St Vincent for the action and later, as First Lord, imposed the close blockade of Brest.