 "Polyphemus" was an old and much battered ship, as well as being much too small for effective service in the line of battle.Nonetheless, when battle was joined on 21 October, "Polyphemus" lined up in Collingwood's division with the other ships, albeit right at the rear of the line where her poor sailing qualities could not get in the way of faster and more powerful ships.Arriving late to the battle, "Polyphemus" was still able to join the fight, exchanging broadsides with the large Spanish flagship and the French , although both were badly damaged by other ships by the time Redmill engaged them.