They met with an equal force.

Resistance, therefore, became a point of honour on the part of the Spaniards, and one of their ships soon blew up with all on board.

Had a stronger squadron been sent, this deplorable catastrophe might have been spared: a catastrophe which excited not more indignation in Spain than it did grief in those who were its unwilling instruments, in the English government, and in the English people.

On the 5th of October this unhappy affair occurred, and Nelson was not apprised of it till the twelfth of the ensuing month.
He had, indeed, sufficient mortification at the breaking out of this Spanish war; an event which, it might reasonably have been supposed, would amply enrich the officers of the Mediterranean fleet, and repay them for the severe and unremitting duty on which they had been so long employed.

But of this harvest they were deprived; for Sir John Orde was sent with a small squadron, and a separate command, to Cadiz.