action july action july minor naval battle french revolutionary wars fought spanish mediterranean coast royal_navy ship line captain squadron frigates commodore don lion ships sent vice admiral commander based portugal late spring spanish squadron raiding force sailed seven days earlier intercepted returning base unsuccessful cruise spanish vessels british ship individually weaker commodore failed ensure result frigates fell line battle attacked lion despite long range gunfire british ship remainder spanish squadron isolated rapidly forced surrender eventually turning frigates unopposed able consolidate prize send fleet subsequently purchased royal_navy lion remained mediterranean year later participating malta alexandria spanish carefully guarded royal_navy squadrons launched expeditions mediterranean year background start mediterranean_sea entirely control french_navy allies including spain switched sides french revolutionary wars late treaty san denied access deep water ports adequate supplies royal_navy fleet deployed mediterranean vice admiral sir forced withdraw nearest friendly fleet anchorage mouth portugal forced retreat force defeated february achieved victory battle cape vincent capturing spanish ships line blockade ports instituted especially large southern fleet anchorage spanish attempt break remainder year early rumours reached recently buildup french forces mediterranean toulon general similar rumours reached admiralty london sent rear admiral sir ships line observe french activity nelson arrived late french fleet sailed carrying men nelson joined fleet ships sent captain pursued french failed learn destination french fleet captured malta days later sailed alexandria second stage operation nelson fleet passed night british beating french egypt sailing arrived nelson crossing mediterranean taking advantage absence enemy forces deploy newly arrived warships region vessels gun ship line command captain sent fleet early year replacement ships initially ordered patrol spanish mediterranean coast lion cruising miles southeast port july sails spotted southeast battle sails spotted lion squadron spanish frigates departed july brief unsuccessful commerce raiding operation ship carried guns weight shot approximately pounds lion pounds sighting lion spanish ships formed battle line flagship captain lead followed captain captain captain seeking engage strangers bore halting movement ensure held weather enable manoeuvre wind attack spanish time choosing seizing advantage bore frigate squadron prepared meet attack frigates lost earlier result slower rest squadron falling soon found ship danger isolated lion steered rapidly opening gap spanish ships recognising danger ordered frigates turn sail defence passing close lion opening heavy fire lion replied spanish frigates immediately turn second pass continuing ahead closed effort deter ship line opened fire lion stern cannon situated frigate stern caused considerable damage rigging lion began close distance ships returned frigates passed lion extreme distance having effect coming fire eventually succeeded bringing ship alongside spanish frigate opened heavy fire replied broadside larger powerful british ship able rapidly inflict severe damage santa minutes fallen mainmast rudder severely battered course passed lion time greater distance failed effect came fire british vessel attempt save defeated turned away ships raised sail direction isolated ship trapped lion slowly turning drifting frigate raised sign surrender aftermath suffered severe damage brief engagement men killed wounded crew contrast lion lost men wounded exchange lost leg shot shoulder lion rigging badly torn structural damage securing prize spent day conducting extensive repairs sending captured ship purchased royal_navy served years rated guns prize money generated sale captured ship stores aboard paid crew october nearly decades later admiralty recognised action lion july attached awarded application british participants living lion remained months eventually joining squadron portuguese ships line command september squadron ordered join nelson search french sailed eastwards passing north malta encountered large convoy battered vessels captain sir ships seven british ships line captured french ships survivors nelson successful conclusion campaign fought bay egypt august anglo portuguese squadron continued alexandria october briefly joining blockade squadron captain sir returning malta december new squadron formed island lion followed portuguese malta december spanish launch expedition mediterranean ports notable participants staff member santa
Action of 15 July 1798