Midnight
He was sent there , by Sir John Jervis , with a squadron to cut out a rich Manilla ship returning to Spain , which lay in the harbour of Santa Cruz . Our squadron consisted of four ships of the line , three frigates , and the ` Fox ' cutter . Our first attempt at landing failed , and then the admiral , who never would be beaten , against the orders of Sir John himself ; determined to take command of the expedition on shore . Midnight was the time chosen for the attack . The orders were , that all the boats should land at a big mole which runs out from the town . Away we pulled ; the night was very dark , the boats got separated , and when we reached the mole there were only four or five boats there . A heavy fire was at once opened on us , but the admiral would not be turned back .