Nelson's inshore blockading squadron at Cadiz, July 1797, c.1800 (oil on canvas)

Creator: Thomas Buttersworth After the Battle of St Vincent, 14 February 1797, the British fleet went to Lisbon to refit and was also reinforced during that time. Nelson, now a rear-admiral, was given command of the inshore blockading squadron, which anchored off Cadiz. Making a night raid upon Spanish gun-boats, his barge was attacked by an armed launch, carrying 26 men under their commander, Don Miguel Tregoyen. Nelson had with him only his ten bargemen, Captain Fremantle, and his coxswain, John Sykes. A violent encounter with swords ensued and notwithstanding the great disproportion of numbers, 18 of the enemy were killed, all the rest wounded and their launch taken.