Battle of Cape St Vincent

In the mists off the coast of Portugal February 1797, daring disobedience, lacklustre leadership and discipline under fire came together to produce a timely and reputation-defining victory for the British at the Battle of Cape St Vincent.

Naval historian Kate Jamieson takes us for a blow by blow journey through the gunsmoke and splinters to help us separate the myth from the historical reality, and understand how this battle managed to forge the reputations to two men, and quash another invasion threat before it could get under way.

The conversation delves into the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, exploring the context, key commanders, and the pivotal role of Nelson. It highlights the strategic maneuvers, the impact of weather, and the aftermath of the battle, including the consequences for both the British and Spanish navies. The discussion emphasizes Nelson's bold actions that led to a significant British victory and the subsequent effects on naval morale and strategy during the Revolutionary War.

Keywords

Battle of Cape St. Vincent, naval warfare, Nelson, Jervis, Cordoba, maritime history, Revolutionary War, British Navy, Spanish Navy, naval strategy

Chapters

00:00 Setting the Stage: The Battle of Cape St. Vincent

05:47 Commanders and Their Styles: Jervis vs. Cordoba

20:02 The British Fleet: Strengths and Weaknesses

21:00 Opening Moves: Nelson's Strategic Advantage

32:55 The Battle Unfolds: Chaos and Confusion

34:10 The Spanish Fleet's Response

34:59 Nelson's Bold Maneuver

38:55 The Turning Point of the Battle

41:47 The Aftermath of Victory

49:00 The Impact on Naval Reputation

54:58 Mutinies and Morale in the Navy