The Orion was ordered into harbour; and on examination it was found she had been so much strained during the last cruise, particularly in the November storm, subsequently known by the name of "Admiral Christian's gale," besides having sprung her lower masts, that it became absolutely necessary for her to be taken into dock. During the next four months Sir James obtained, leave of absence; and it was not until the 7th of May 1796, that, having rejoined his ship, he was called into active service, the Orion being placed in Rear-admiral Lord Hugh Seymour's division of the grand fleet which was fitted for foreign service.
After a short cruise off Brest, the Orion proceeded to reinforce the fleet under Sir John Jervis, off Cape St. Vincent. This squadron consisted of the Sanspareil (flag-ship), Orion, Triumph, Juste, Hector, and Theseus, of the line; Phaeton and Latona, frigates; and Incendiary, fire-ship. On arriving off their station, Captain Saumarez was detached to Fayall by Lord Hugh's order, dated the 13th June, to obtain stock, wine, &c. for the use of the squadron; and was directed to meet his lordship at ten leagues to the westward of that island; after which the squadron returned to Cape St. Vincent, and from thence, in the month of September, they joined the Channel fleet, under Lord Gardner.
On the 11th of December the Orion returned to Spithead, in order to refit and replenish in water and provisions, after a six months' unsuccessful cruise. This occupied but a short time; and on the 17th of the same month Sir James proceeded in the Orion, with a squadron under the orders of Admiral W. Parker, to reinforce Sir John Jervis, off Cape St. Vincent. This squadron consisted of the Prince George, 98; Namur, 90; Irresistible, Orion, and Colossus, of 74 guns; and Thalia frigate. The junction with Sir John was effected on the 6th of February. Thus reinforced, the Admiral had under his command—
| Guns. | ||
| 100 | Victory, | Admiral Sir John Jervis. |
| Captain Robert Calder. | ||
| Captain George Grey. | ||
| Britannia, | Vice-admiral Charles Thompson. | |
| Captain Foley. | ||
| 98 | Barfleur, | Vice-admiral Hon. W. Waldegrave. |
| Captain J.R. Dacres. | ||
| Prince George, | Rear-admiral W. Parker. | |
| Captain John Irwin. | ||
| Blenheim, | Captain Thos. L. Frederick. | |
| 90 | Namur, | Captain James H. Whitshed. |
| 74 | Captain, | Commodore Horatio Nelson. |
| Captain R.W. Miller. | ||
| Goliath, | Captain Charles Knowles. | |
| Excellent, | Captain Cuthbert Collingwood. | |
| Orion, | Captain Sir James Saumarez. | |
| Colossus, | Captain Geo. Murray. | |
| Egmont, | Captain John Sutton. | |
| Culloden, | Captain Thomas Troubridge. | |
| Irresistible, | Captain Geo. Martin. | |
| 64 | Diadem, | Captain Geo. H. Towry. |
| 38 | Minerve, | Captain Geo. Cockburn. |
| 32 | Lively, | Captain Lord Garlies. |
| Niger, | Captain Ed. Jas. Foote. | |
| Southampton, | Captain Jas. Macnamara. | |
| Slps | Bonne Citoyenne, | Captain Chas. Lindsay. |
| Raven, | Captain W. Prowse. | |
| Cut. | Fox, | Lieutenant John Gibson. |
Sir John Jervis was well aware that the Spanish fleet might be nearly double his force, but he kept working up towards the position where he expected to meet them. On the 13th, in the morning, the Minerve, Captain Cockburn, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore Nelson, (which was afterwards shifted to the Captain, 74) having on board Sir Gilbert Elliot, late viceroy of Corsica and others, came into the fleet with intelligence that on the 11th, soon after quitting Gibraltar, she had been chased by two Spanish line-of-battle ships; and that afterwards, when in the mouth of the Straits, she got sight of the Spanish fleet. Before sunset the signals were made for the British fleet to prepare for battle, and to keep in close order all the night, during which the signal-guns of the Spaniards were distinctly heard. At half-past two, A.M. the Portuguese frigate Carlotta spoke the Victory; and her captain (Campbell) gave information that the Spanish grand fleet, commanded by Don Josef de Cordova, was only five leagues to windward; that they had sailed from Carthagena on the 1st of the month, and consisted of twenty-eight sail of the line, viz.
| Guns. | |
| 130 | Santissima Trinidada. |
| (four-decker). | |
| 112 | Concepcion. |
| Conde de Regla. | |
| Mexicano. | |
| Principe de Asturias. | |
| Salvador del Mundo. | |
| San Josef. | |
| 80 | Neptuno. |
| San Nicolas. | |
| 74 | Atalante. |
| Bahama. | |
| Conquistador. | |
| Firme. | |
| Glorioso. | |
| Oriente. | |
| Pelayo. | |
| San Antonio. | |
| San Domingo. | |
| San Firmin. | |
| San F'sco de Paula. | |
| San Genaro. | |
| San Ildefonso. | |
| San Juan Nepomuceno. | |
| San Pablo. | |
| San Ysidro. | |
| Soberano. | |
| Terrible. |
There were also twelve frigates, some gun-boats, and seventy transports with troops, which were disembarked at Algesiras.
It is not positively known what the destination of this powerful fleet was; some accounts say Cadiz, others Brest. It is, however, certain that their admiral did not expect to meet more than ten or twelve sail of the line with Sir John Jervis, and that he anticipated an easy capture, and a triumphant entry into port with his prizes. His dismay may therefore be easily imagined at seeing the English fleet of fifteen sail of the line close to him, in excellent order of battle, while his own fleet was in such a scattered situation as to render it impossible to prevent his intrepid enemy from cutting off a group which had separated from the main body of his fleet, and which in vain attempted to rejoin by crowding all sail.
As it is not our intention to enter into the particulars of this memorable battle, excepting as regards the Orion, an extract from the admiral's despatch will be sufficient to show the bold and decisive step which he took on that occasion, and by which he succeeded in obtaining a most glorious victory over double his force.
Victory, Lagos Bay, 16th February 1797.